Golden State Today

Deputies in Montecito, California, discovered a kidnapping in progress during a traffic stop on Tuesday night. The incident occurred around 10:43 p.m. on November 12, 2024, when a deputy stopped an unsafe RV traveling southbound on Highway 101 near Olive Mill. The vehicle was being driven with its pop-out sections extended.

Upon approaching the RV, the deputy observed a domestic dispute inside. An investigation revealed that Matthew Parsadayan, a 34-year-old from Newport Beach, had forced the female driver to head towards Orange County under duress. During their journey from Highway 154 to the location of the traffic stop, Parsadayan allegedly threatened the woman with two knives and placed his arms around her neck. He also reportedly fired a handgun out of the window.

The victim feared for her life and that of her infant child who was also in the RV. She attempted to comply with Parsadayan's demands until deputies intervened. A search of the vehicle uncovered a Glock pistol and a spent 9mm casing.

Parsadayan faces multiple felony charges including kidnapping, assault with a deadly weapon other than a firearm, discharge of a firearm with gross negligence, child cruelty, and kidnapping a child. He is currently held at the Main Jail with bail set at $1 million.