Teacher at high school in Arcadia held on suspicion of kidnapping students
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A high school teacher was arrested Sunday after he allegedly kidnapped three students in Altadena.
According to Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department officials, the students from Arroyo Pacific Academy in Arcadia saw the teacher about 9:30 p.m. Saturday near Ganesha Avenue and Mariposa Street in Altadena and stopped to say hello.
The teacher, identified as John Edward Maust, 34, appeared to be intoxicated and asked for a ride, according to a statement from the Sheriff’s Department.
The students, all 17, later became concerned, stopped and exited the car. Maust allegedly ordered the students back into the car and pulled a knife, according to the department.
One student called 911, and when Maust saw a sheriff’s helicopter overhead, he ordered the driver to stop and fled, the department said.
On Sunday afternoon, Maust surrendered at the Altadena sheriff’s station and was arrested on suspicion of kidnapping, false imprisonment and criminal threats. He was being held in lieu of $100,000 bail.
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