DEPUTIES ARREST MAN ACCUSED OF STAGING KIDNAPPING, TORCHING CAR

Deputies arrested a man accused of staging his own kidnapping and setting his car ablaze along I-70 in Jefferson County - a strange incident that forced the closure of the busy highway for several hours.

Elvyn Yohel Ramos, 25, was standing in the shoulder of the interstate on Oct. 24 "with clear packing tape around his mouth and loosely around his wrists," according to the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office. "Initial statements claimed he had been kidnapped and robbed at gunpoint by two unknown suspects who allegedly restrained him and set the vehicle on fire. "However, inconsistencies were identified during multiple interviews," officials said. "A comprehensive investigation was conducted, and it was determined that the fire was intentionally set. There was no evidence discovered to support the presence of additional suspect vehicles or a kidnapping. "Ramos also filed an insurance claim several days later, reporting the fire as accidental. Investigators later confirmed the claim details were inconsistent with physical evidence and prior admissions." [Photo: Jefferson County Sheriff's Office]