Routine Traffic Stop Leads to Safe Recovery of Missing 13-Year-Old Girl
What began as a standard traffic stop on Interstate 40 near Holbrook, Arizona, quickly became a pivotal rescue. Deputies with the Navajo County Sheriff’s Office pulled over a vehicle and discovered a 13-year-old girl hidden under a blanket in the front passenger seat. The suspect, identified as 32-year-old Raul Alexis Arellano‑Romero, claimed she was a 19-year-old friend he met in Las Vegas—but false tattoos and inconsistent answers raised suspicion (X (formerly Twitter), https://www.azfamily.com).
Further investigation revealed the girl had been reported missing from Albertville, Alabama, since April 19. Deputies also learned Arellano‑Romero had been previously arrested in Massachusetts for removing the same girl from her guardians’ custody and released on bond (https://www.azfamily.com).
The girl was unharmed and moved into protective custody, then reunited with her family. Arellano‑Romero was arrested and booked into the Navajo County Jail on a $100,000 bond (https://www.azfamily.com).
This incident highlights the crucial role of alert officers and thorough procedures in everyday traffic enforcement—and how routine stops can sometimes lead to life-changing outcomes.
🎥 Watch the footage:
Routine Traffic Stop Finds Missing 13‑Year‑Old Girl (Bodycam Footage)
Insane Traffic Stop Finds MISSING 13yo Girl…
Let me know if you’d like follow-up updates or a breakdown of the investigation.
