Kidnapped Woman Released in Oakland Hills

Two men kidnapped a woman in downtown Walnut Creek Wednesday night, tried to force her to take money from her bank account, and drove her to the Oakland hills, where she was released.

According to the Walnut Creek police, the 57-year-old woman was unlocking her car in the parking lot of the Business Center at Shadelands (off Ygnacio Valley Road) where she works about 7:30 p.m. Wednesday when two white males in their early to mid-20s forced her into her car, tied her up and blindfolded her. She was then driven to “various locations in an attempt to get money from her ATM accounts,” police said.

She was then taken to what Walnut Creek police originally called a "remote spot" in the Oakland hills, where she was released but remained tied up. (Walnut Creek Police Lt. Steve Gorski said Thursday afternoon that the victim was released near Hiller Drive and Tunnel Road.)

The woman freed herself and called police. Oakland police responded and sought medical attention for her, before handing the investigation over to Walnut Creek police.

The suspects were described as two white men in their early 20s. One stood about 5 feet 11 inches, weighed about 185 pounds with broad shoulders and short dark hair. He was last seen wearing a light colored T-shirt under a black zip-up collared shirt, and jeans. The other suspect was about 5 feet 9 inches, with a slight build weighing about 150 pounds. He was last seen wearing a mask, a black hooded sweatshirt with the hood on and jeans.

A small dark-colored pickup truck with a loud muffler, possibly a Toyota, was seen leaving the area.

The Walnut Creek Police Department is investigating. Anyone with information related to this crime is asked to contact the Walnut Creek Police Department Investigations Unit at (925) 943-5868 or (925) 943-5844.

Bay City News Service contributed to this article.