Palm Springs Kidnapping Victim Found

A bizarre Palm Springs kidnapping ended on Tuesday with the victim’s safe return.

Just after 3:30 p.m., police responded to a call of a domestic violence kidnapping in progress on the 300 block of West Mariscal Road.

“He broke Felicia’s back door down,” said Janet Valtierra, a neighbor, who called the suspect a “bad guy.”

After living in the area for 25 years, Valtierra didn’t hesitate to say the 31-year-old suspect, John Davis Wright, is wrong for her neighborhood.

She said she’s seen how angry he can get.

“He’s been in prison — in and out, in and out,” said Valtierra, who lives just a few doors down from Felicia Hulett.

Hulett was there when Wright knocked down the back door to her home looking for her 24-year-old daughter, Elisa.

“It was terrible,” said Felicia Hulett. “He’s a convict.”

“He dragged (Elisa) out of the apartment by her hair and took her money,” said Valtierra.

Felicia said Wright stole more than $2,000 in cash, and then bolted down the street with her daughter.

After calling police, Felicia stayed with Valtierra while authorities spent hours driving through the neighborhood looking for the two.

Police knew they left on foot, and figured they hadn’t gone too far. So, to help sniff out their scent, a Riverside County sheriff blood hound was called in.

Just before 7 p.m., Hulett and Wright were found inside a vacant motel on North Palm Canyon Drive.

Wright surrendered peacefully. Hulett was treated by paramedics, but was later allowed to leave.

“The daughter — I mean, she just won’t get rid of that guy,” said Valtierra.

Wright is charged with two felonies and a misdemeanor, including burglary and kidnapping.

He’s being booked at the Smith Correctional Facility in Banning.