A father and son have been charged with kidnapping two U.S. Forest Service workers in Utah, according to authorities.
Joseph Henrichsen, 58, and his son Phoenix Henrichsen, 33, were arrested on Tuesday and charged with two counts of aggravated kidnapping, two counts of aggravated assault, and one count of aggravated robbery.
The incident occurred on Monday when the two Forest Service workers were conducting a survey in the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest. The workers, who have not been identified, were approached by the Henrichsens who were armed with a handgun and a rifle.
According to the Uinta County Sheriff’s Office, the Henrichsens forced the workers into their vehicle and drove them to a remote area where they were held against their will for several hours. The workers were eventually able to escape and notify authorities.
The Henrichsens were located and arrested by law enforcement after a brief pursuit. The workers were found unharmed and the weapons used in the kidnapping were recovered.
The motive for the kidnapping is still under investigation, but authorities believe it may have been related to a dispute over land use in the area.
Both Joseph and Phoenix Henrichsen are being held in the Uinta County Jail on a $500,000 cash-only bond. They are scheduled to appear in court on Thursday.
The U.S. Forest Service released a statement expressing their gratitude to law enforcement for their swift response and the safe recovery of their employees.
This incident serves as a reminder of the potential dangers that Forest Service workers face while carrying out their duties. The agency is committed to ensuring the safety of their employees and will continue to work closely with law enforcement to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.
The investigation is ongoing and anyone with information is urged to contact the Uinta County Sheriff’s Office.
