A Wildwood woman is in custody after investigators say she kidnapped a teen girl who managed to escape by crashing into a police car.
Police say Floribert Nava, 45, was involved in a dispute with the girl over the adoption of a recently born child and that Nava desperately wanted to adopt the baby.
On Friday, Nava met the girl in Wildwood, according to police. During the meeting, Nava allegedly pulled out a gun and forced the girl to drive to Philadelphia, telling her that she wanted to be taken to the baby’s adoptive parents.
As the girl and Nava drove, investigators say a Delaware River Port Authority Police Officer was parked on the shoulder of the Ben Franklin Bridge assisting a stranded motorist. Police say the girl spotted the officer while driving on the bridge and purposely struck his vehicle.
"I don't know if it saved her life," said Cape May County Prosecutor Robert Taylor. "But it certainly was a smart move by the victim."
The teen then jumped from her car and told the officer that Nava was armed and had kidnapped her. The officer, who was not injured, quickly detained and arrested Nava. Police say he then found an “air soft” handgun as well as duct tape, trash bags and latex gloves inside the vehicle.
Both Nava and the teen were interviewed by members of the Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office and the Wildwood Police Department.
Nava was charged with kidnapping, terroristic threats, possession of a weapon and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose.
Photo Credit: Cape May County Prosecutor's Office