Kearns man charged with alleged assault and kidnapping of relatives

KEARNS, Utah (ABC4) — A man in Salt Lake County has been charged after allegedly assaulting and kidnapping his father and his father’s wife.

Ritchie Michael Arellano Jr., 36, appeared in court yesterday after being charged with two counts of aggravated kidnapping (first-degree felony), two counts of aggravated robbery (firs-degree felony), and three counts of aggravated assault (third-degree felony), all of which have the domestic violence (DV) attribute.

He was also charged with theft of a firearm or operable motor vehicle (second-degree felony), reckless aggravated abuse of a vulnerable adult with the DV attribute (third-degree felony), assault with the DV attribute (Class B Misdemeanor, and property damage/destruction less than $500 with the DV attribute (Class B Misdemeanor).

The alleged assault occurred on September 11, 2025, and a warrant was issued for Arellano’s arrest on September 12. He was booked into the Salt Lake County Jail on October 23, 2025, and had his first court appearance on October 27.

Arellano had a pending burglary case when the alleged assault occurred, so he is being held without bail.

Case History

On September 11, 2025, officers with the Unified Police Department (UPD) responded to a residence in Salt Lake County, after reports of an assault in progress. Law enforcement found that a domestic violence incident had occurred and that two residents had been tied up.

One of the victims stated that his adult son, identified as Ritchie Michael Arellano Jr, arrived at the residence.

Law enforcement did not specify the relation between Arellano and his father’s wife. However, they have classified this as a domestic incident and noted that both victims were known to Arellano.

Arellano reportedly said that he had to pick up belongings and use the restroom and exited the bathroom with a hammer. Allegedly, Arellano made threats to his father and father’s wife while swinging the hammer and damaging items on the property, such as a television, mirrors, and an entertainment center.

When his father attempted to get up to check on his wife, Arellano allegedly pushed him back down and retrieved two chairs, placing them back-to-back. He then reportedly forced the victims to sit in the chair and used duct tape to secure them to the chairs.

According to court documents, when Arellano’s father tried to fight back, Arellano punched him in the face.

He also told the victims to sit with their arms around each other and smile for a photo, saying it would “likely be the last photo of them alive.” Then, Arellano further secured the victims and spray-painted their hands, necks, and backs, before covering them with a blanket

Because his father was fighting back, Arellano reportedly used an extension cord to further secure him to the chair. He then allegedly retrieved and knife and his father’s wallet from the kitchen and continued to threaten the victims.

The victims told law enforcement that Arellano gathered money, ID cards and bank cards, and demanded to know which of the couples’ vehicle had more gas. He then reportedly left the residence in their vehicle.

Reportedly, the incident lasted around 40 minutes, and Arellano’s father experienced injuries to his head, chest arms, ankles, and knee. The wife had injuries to her face.

Following the assault, Arellano allegedly fled the state. He was arrested in Nevada on possession of a stolen vehicle.