Girl rescued by DMV patrol after boyfriend strangled her and took her to the Las Vegas desert

LAS VEGAS, Nev. (FOX5) – The Southern Nevada DMV Compliance Department saves a life because of its many roles.

They often conduct traffic stops and find stolen cars or bust unlicensed mechanic shops.

However, FOX5 recently learned of a call they received while on patrol.

A witness said he saw a girl trying to escape a speeding car on Highway 95.

Chief JD Decker and Investigator Michael Giddens knew they had to respond immediately.

“The witness said the back door kept opening and it appeared the woman was trying to escape at 100 miles per hour,” Chief Decker explained.

It was a call Chief Decker and Giddens couldn’t ignore.

“When we caught up with him, he was turning south on Search Light in the desert,” Decker said.

It took Chief Decker and Giddens 15 to 20 minutes to catch up to the vehicle and when they finally did, it was in the middle of the desert with no one around.

Chief Decker tells FOX5 that when they pulled over, the suspect got out of the back seat, opened the hood of his car and said he was “having car trouble.”

Body camera video shows Giddens handcuffing the suspect and Chief Decker carefully opening the back door.

“You can see me kind of keeping my hand on my gun. “I really don’t know if there’s a threat in that,” Decker shared. “I open the door and see it’s a woman with an expression I’ve never seen on anyone before.”

It was the face of a 17-year-old girl who had been beaten and injured.

“She was dead and she knew it. She was done trying because before we pulled up, he sat on the back of her and strangled her,” Chief Decker explained. “When the door opened and she saw that it wasn’t the boyfriend coming back to do the job but the police, there was a glimmer of hope in her eyes.”

Minutes later, Capitol Police and Boulder City Police arrived to arrest the suspect.

Numerous charges have been filed against the suspect, including kidnapping of a minor and assault by strangulation.

The incident occurred back in June, but the victim did not appear in court, so the case was dropped, which is why FOX5 did not name the suspect.

Chief Decker said the two were there illegally and the victim was turned over to a relative.

For their bravery, Chief Decker and Giddens were awarded the Medal of Valor on Tuesday.

It’s an award Chief Decker usually bestows on his officers, but this time he was the recipient.

At the ceremony, the audience heard from Giddens, who was behind the wheel but said he was shocked to accept the award.

“We got there as quickly and safely as possible. At one point we almost turned around and tried again and saw a vehicle in the desert,” Giddens said.

Chief Decker said the first witness who called the car was a retired police officer and tells FOX5 he is the hero.

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