HOUSTON – A woman who was kidnapped while waiting for her Uber ride early Sunday morning managed to escape and is now sharing her story to warn others. Luis-Leon Quesada, 57, has been charged with kidnapping and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon in connection with the incident outside the Flats on Tanglewilde Apartments in Houston.
The woman, who did not want to show her face out of fear for her safety, says she had just left her friend’s apartment and was waiting for her Uber around 5 a.m. when Quesada approached her, offering a ride. After she declined, he allegedly forced her into his car. Despite the terrifying situation, her quick thinking and the help of a friend ultimately saved her.
“He pushed me into the passenger seat. I waited for him to go to the driver’s side and took that chance to run,” she said.
Quesada caught up to her. She tried wrestling him off, but he overpowered her.
“Then he started sexually assaulting me. He then moved me to the passenger seat and told me he’s gonna take me to a hotel and that he’s going to keep me safe and that He’ll take me home afterwards,” said the woman.
The woman managed to text her location to a friend while pretending to cooperate.
Her friend, Zeid Anjar, immediately rushed to help. The woman snapped a photo of Quesada’s phone, showing the location and glimpse of the vehicle. Anjar found the vehicle and blocked it multiple times during a chase on Westheimer.
“She was able to unlock the door from inside the car, jumped into our car, and I got her to safety,” Anjar said.
Quesada continued to flee and returned to the apartments; he was backed by another man armed with a gun. Anjar said Quesada pulled out a knife. The second man fled when police arrived and ultimately found Quesada in his apartment.
The woman expressed relief to be safe and reunited with her children. “I just wanted to go home. God knows what he would have done if we made it there,” she said.
Quesada remains in Harris County Jail on a $145,000 bond. While he faces charges of kidnapping and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, he has not been charged with sexual assault. He is scheduled to appear in court tomorrow.