Arrest made in kidnapping of 94-year-old Arizona woman

Scottsdale police announced that they have made an arrest in the case of an elderly woman who was abducted and locked in her trunk last week.

Police say the suspect, Ian Michael Nielson, 25, was taken into custody Tuesday afternoon.

“He has admitted his involvement in this,” said Sgt. Hugh Lockerby with the Scottsdale Police Violent Crimes Unit. “He had done this for drugs and need for money.”

Police say Nielson will be charged with attempted second-degree homicide. He may also face kidnapping and other charges.

The abduction happened at the woman’s home near Camelback Road and 68th Street.

At approximately 6:00 a.m. Tuesday, the suspect forced his way into the victim’s home. Police say he stole money from the victim, and eventually bound her with zip ties and duct tape, and locked her in the trunk of her own car.

About six hours later, the woman was able to free herself from the trunk of her car that was now parked in a parking lot of Scottsdale Fashion Square mall.

At that point, she was seen by a passerby who called 911.

The victim was treated for a broken sternum. She has since been released from the hospital and police say she is “doing well.”

Police say detectives have been working around the clock to find the suspect. and that a sketch helped identify him.

Police caught up with Nielson Tuesday near the Scottsdale-Tempe border. Police say he complied with officers.