Lemoore police arrest Lemoore woman on kidnapping, terrorist threats, gun charges

At approximately 11:20 p.m. Lemoore police officers responded to a call at P.W. Engvall School for a report that a female pulled a gun on a custodian. Dispatch later advised that the female had identified herself as an undercover sheriff. The female was described as being in her late 20s to early 30s, dressed in all-black clothing and wearing glittery diamond boots.

An officer quickly arrived on the scene and spoke to the victim, a 32-year-old male who told the officer that he had just taken out some garbage when he saw the suspect walking on Cedar Lane. He said the suspect crossed the street and asked him several times who he was.

She told him she was an officer and showed him a pistol she was carrying. She then put the pistol to the victim’s head and told him to turn and walk to a nearby fence, place his hands on his head, and spread his feet. She searched him but did not take anything. She then told the victim that he could go but if he blew her cover she would come back for him. She left walking westbound on Cedar Lane.

While the officer was talking to the first victim, Lemoore police dispatchers received a call from a resident on Cedar Lane. The caller said she heard subjects in her house screaming and someone said "get down on your knees.” Dispatch advised the officers that there was someone in the caller's house.

Additional officers responded to the home on Cedar Lane, which was less than a block from P.W. Engvall. When officers arrived the front door was open and a female could be seen inside the house. An officer made contact with that female, who said that the female suspect was in the backyard with her husband.

As officers entered the home they saw a male walking towards them. Behind him was a female and the male told the officers that she had a gun. The officers saw a pistol in the female’s right hand. Her hand was by her leg and the pistol was pointing at the ground. She was told several times to drop the gun but she did not comply.

While one officer provided cover, a second officer fired his Taser, which disabled the suspect so she could be taken into custody.

The suspect was identified as 41-year-old Heidi Bottel of Lemoore. She was booked into the Kings County Jail on several felony charges. Her bail was set at $535,000.00.

The suspect displayed signs of alcohol intoxication as well as narcotic use.  The weapon seized was a loaded Sig Saur 9mm semi-automatic handgun.