Man arrested after forcing woman into car outside of Kennewick home

A dispute between a former couple turned into a search across the county when a man forced a woman into a car Sunday evening.

Kennewick police were called about 6:55 p.m. after Armando G. Meraz, 29, allegedly forced the woman into a SUV outside of a Rainier Street apartment complex, Kennewick Sgt. Stephen Wolosin told the Tri-City Herald.

After leaving the apartment complex, Meraz allegedly called the woman’s daughter and said he would kill the woman if police were called, according to dispatch reports.

The person watching the daughter had already alerted police, according to dispatch reports.

Kennewick police alerted other area agencies about the kidnapping, according to a Facebook post.

The Benton County Sheriff’s Office found the vehicle on Highway 397 with Meraz and the woman still inside. The woman was not hurt, according to the Benton County Sheriff’s Office.

He surrendered without incident and was booked into the Benton County jail on suspicion of first-degree kidnapping, fourth-degree assault and felony harassment.

He is being held in jail in lieu of $100,000 bail. He also was ordered to stay away from his former girlfriend.

This story was originally published March 16, 2026 at 11:47 AM.