The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office responded Wednesday to a report of a woman who said she had been tied to a tree in Pebble Beach at gunpoint and left. She was discovered about two hours later by passers-by who untied her.
The woman, who is in her 40s but was not identified by the Sheriff’s Office, said she was walking on one of the many trails in the woods near Haul Road, a dirt road off of Holman Highway, around 7:30 a.m. Wednesday. The area, which is located in the SFB Morse Botanical Reserve, is a popular spot for local dogwalkers and hikers.
She said a man who looked suspicious was following her. As he got closer he brandished a gun and walked her to a nearby tree where he proceeded to tie her up. He then left on foot. She was not injured, assaulted, or robbed.
Police received a call around 9:30 a.m. when a man out on a walk came across the woman crying for help and saw her tied to a tree. A second person, who also happened to be walking in the area, helped untie the woman.