Woman Kidnapped, Faced Forced Prostitution

Two people were behind bars on Monday, accused of kidnapping a woman in Long Beach, Calif., with the intent to force her into a life of prostitution.

San Bernardino County sheriff’s deputies said a woman flagged down one of their squad cars in San Bernardino on Friday morning and told the deputies she had been kidnapped the day before.

The 22 year old said Edward Bell forced her into his vehicle, where he threatened to assault her if she did not work for him as a prostitute. When she refused, she said he physically assaulted her and then drove her to San Bernardino.

On the way there, detectives said Bell picked up an accomplice, Octavia Howard. Bell and Howard threatened the victim again and she said they left her on the street to work as a prostitute.

Bell and Howard were lured by investigators to an area in Highland where they were arrested.

Detectives said they found physical evidence linking them to a prostitution ring.

Bell and Howard were booked at West Valley Detention Center and are being held on $250,000 bail. They are scheduled for arraignment on Tuesday, June 7 in San Bernardino Superior Court.