Benton Police Department investigating kidnapping

BENTON, AR – Officials from the Benton Police Department are investigating the disappearance of a woman they believe may have been taken against her will, according to reports.

Police say they responded to a missing person call on October 30 at 1126 English Oak Drive. When they arrived, officers spoke with a witness who told them the resident of the house, 34-year-old Yin-Yan Schmidt, was missing.

The witness told police that Schmidt left her home and went to an unknown address on the evening of October 30 to meet with her estranged husband, 52-year-old Gerald Schmidt. Yin-Yan’s relatives told police that the couple had a rocky relationship and that they suspected foul play might have been involved.

According to reports, investigation lead detectives to believe that that Mr. Schmidt possibly took Ms. Schmidt to Texas against her will. Authorities in Texas were notified and were able to locate the Schmidt’s on a traffic stop in Jasper, TX on October 31. Police say the investigation is ongoing, but it does appear that Ms. Schmidt was taken against her will.

Police say Yin-Yan Schmidt is in good health and back with her family, while Gerald Schmidt is facing kidnapping charges and is awaiting extradition back to Benton from Texas.

Anyone with information regarding this case is asked to contact the Benton Police Department at 778-1171 or 315-TIPS. www.bentonpolice.org