Movers Hailed as Heroes After Rescuing Kidnapped Arizona Toddler in Dramatic Gas Station Confrontation
A harrowing kidnapping case in Arizona ended safely on Sunday morning thanks to the quick thinking and courageous actions of a group of movers who spotted the suspect at a gas station and blocked her vehicle. The 3-year-old victim, Kehlani Rogers, was reported missing from her home in Avondale on Saturday morning after her parents awoke to discover both their daughter and a woman they had allowed to stay overnight were gone.
Alert Movers Spring into Action After Receiving Amber Alert Notification
The dramatic rescue unfolded at a QuikTrip gas station where employees from Camelback Moving had stopped for coffee and snacks before starting their workday. Chad Olsen, president of the moving company, explained that the crew received the Amber Alert on their phones and were subsequently alerted by a security guard who recognized the suspect and child from the description.
"We had eight gentlemen there, three trucks, and the security guard that we were familiar with at the QT notified us that he thought that the Amber Alert suspect had just walked in with the child," Olsen told CBS affiliate KFMB-TV. "I know many of these men and their character, and our core values of giving back to the community, and I was really proud to listen to the dashcam conversation of them deciding to get involved and take action."
Dashcam Captures Tense Moment as Movers Block Suspect's Vehicle
Ralph Vollmert, one of the movers present at the scene, described how his colleague Kevin Place overheard the security guard's phone conversation and immediately alerted the team. "He came up to the driver door of the truck and was like, 'Hey, the child's in that truck,'" Vollmert told KTAR News.
Dashcam footage obtained by Local 12 News captured the intense moments as the movers coordinated their response. One mover can be heard asking, "Should I block the truck? What? Should I block them?" before another responded decisively, "You should block them." The movers then positioned their vehicles to prevent the suspect from driving away.
Parents Had Allowed "Random Woman" to Stay Overnight
According to court records reviewed by NBC affiliate KPNX-TV, Kehlani's parents told police they had allowed Marina Noriega—identified in the initial Amber Alert as "Merena"—to stay at their home because she "needed a place to stay." They described Noriega as a "random woman" they had recently met.
When the parents woke up on Saturday morning, they discovered both Noriega and their 3-year-old daughter were missing, prompting them to contact authorities immediately. The Avondale Police Department issued an Amber Alert that would ultimately lead to the child's recovery.
Suspect Initially Claimed to Be Child's Biological Mother
Marina Noriega was taken into custody at the gas station and now faces a felony charge of custody interference. During police interviews, court documents allege that Noriega initially told investigators she was Kehlani's biological mother, claiming the child had been born in Sacramento but abducted from the hospital.
She eventually acknowledged that Kehlani was not her daughter and expressed remorse for her actions. "I shouldn't have took advantage of the situation and done what I did. You're right, that's my fault," Noriega allegedly told police, according to records reviewed by AZfamily.
Community Response and Investigation Details
Prior to the gas station encounter, investigators had received a tip from someone who claimed to have driven a woman and child matching the description to Maricopa. The tipster reported that the woman said she was planning to take a train to California, according to media reports.
The successful resolution of this case highlights both the effectiveness of Amber Alert systems and the importance of community vigilance. The moving company employees' willingness to intervene directly prevented what could have been a tragic outcome, demonstrating how ordinary citizens can play crucial roles in public safety emergencies.
Kehlani Rogers was examined by medical personnel and found to be unharmed, then reunited with her relieved family. The Avondale Police Department continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding the kidnapping and Noriega's interactions with the family prior to the incident.
