MCLENNAN COUNTY, Texas — Three individuals have been arrested by U.S. Marshals in connection with an attempted kidnapping that took place in McLennan County on Sunday, March 12, according to a release from officials.
On Sunday, authorities say Michael Hofstetter, Kayla Pierce, and an unidentified male attempted to kidnap a female victim in McLennan County. The female managed to escape the kidnapping, and a male friend at the time shot at the fleeing kidnappers with what authorities describe as "some type of BB gun or Airsoft Rifle."
Authorities say the male friend of the victim was struck in the back with a projectile during the encounter.
In response to the attempted kidnapping, the McLennan County Sheriff's Office Criminal Investigation Department requested the assistance of the Fugitive Active Search Team (FAST) to locate and arrest Hofstetter, Pierce, and the third individual with them. In less than a day's time, FAST had also brought in the Lone Star Fugitive Task Force to assist with the investigation.
Authorities eventually located a silver Chevy Malibu, the vehicle they say was used in the attempted kidnapping, in Bryan. The identities of Pierce, Hofstetter, and the unidentified male, later revealed to be Tim Blackburn, were confirmed when officers made their arrests on Monday, March 13 at the CVS Pharmacy in Bryan off of Texas Avenue and Villa Maria Road around 8 p.m.
According to the release, Blackburn told Task Force officers that he was with Hofstetter and Pierce during the attempted kidnapping on Sunday.
The trio are being held in the McLennan County Jail on the following charges:
- Michael Hofstetter - $375,000 total bond
- Attempted Kidnapping - $75,000 bond
- Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon, two counts - $150,000 bond for each count
- Kayla Pierce - $375,000 total bond
- Attempted Kidnapping - $75,000 bond
- Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon, two counts - $150,000 bond for each count
- Tim Blackburn - $450,000 total bond
- Attempted Kidnapping - $150,000 bond
- Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon, two counts - $150,000 bond for each count