Utah police stop alleged kidnapping after victim passes note at Cedar City gas station

Support for victims and survivors of domestic violence is available 24/7: 1-800-897-LINK (5465). If you or someone else is in immediate danger, or in an emergency, please call 911 immediately.

CEDAR CITY, Utah (ABC4) — A 53-year-old man accused of kidnapping a woman was apprehended near Cedar City over the weekend after the victim passed a note to a witness saying she was in trouble and needed help.

Epigmenio Bustillos Marquez was arrested on Saturday, March 8, and booked on one first-degree felony charge of aggravated assault. He also faces misdemeanor charges of assault, providing false info, interruption of a communication device, prohibited use of an ID, and operating a vehicle without a license or permit.

According to court documents, the witness followed the two on northbound I-15 after receiving the note from the victim at a Cedar City gas station. When police caught up, they pulled the car over and talked to Marquez and the victim through the passenger side. Police reported the victim was “not behaving normally,” prompting them to ask her to exit the vehicle and request ID from Marquez.

The victim allegedly told officers that she and Marquez were in a long-term relationship but his behavior had recently been “erratic.” She had reportedly asked Marquez to take her to work earlier that morning but after he picked her up he began accusing of her cheating and instead began driving to Salt Lake or Denver.

The victim said when she asked to be let out of the car, Marquez allegedly told her he wouldn’t stop and she would die if she tried due to the speed they were going. Marquez also allegedly took the victim’s phone and at one time struck the victim.

Marquez allegedly first gave responding officers a Durango, Mexico identification card that had the wrong name and birthdate. After giving officers permission to search his wallet, police say they found another Mexican ID card that had Marquez’s actual name and birthdate, though he continued to provide a false date of birth.

Court records show Marquez was booked into the Iron County Correctional Facility on the above charges. He has been ordered to be held without bail, pending a pretrial hearing.

Charges are allegations only. All arrested persons are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah.