Forget Airtags, Man Duct Tapes Phone To Ex Girlfriends Car To Stalk Her

Convicted sex offender locked up after duct-taping his cell phone to his ex-girlfriend's car to stalk her in Salt Lake City, Utah.

The man was identified as 47-year-old Manuel Ruiz. According to the police statement, Ruiz went to his ex-girlfriend’s daughter’s work to find out where his ex-girlfriend was. The victim hid from him in a car to avoid conflict.

Police checked under the victim's car the next day where they found Ruiz's cell phone taped to a metal bracket. Ruiz had been tracking her car.

Ruiz was booked on one charge of unlawful installation of a tracking device and one charge of stalking.

Victim of Stalking

A victim of stalking, Sarah Larsen, said, “It's a very unsettling feeling because you're always looking over your shoulder there's a lot... there's shame, there's fear, you just don't know where you're safe.”

Larsen's stalker was her ex-husband and she was able to escape him decades ago. Her escape involved moving across the country. She feels strong enough to still share her story and try to help other victims.

“I'm one of the lucky ones that came out on the other side and if I can help one person that's huge to me,” Larsen said.

Advocate and Therapist

Jenn Oxborrow, a domestic violence advocate, and the therapist said, “We know that the most lethal cases of domestic violence are preceded by this type of behavior so when we see this happening it's really important to know what to do,” Oxborrow said.

85% of domestic violence homicide victims were stalked before their murder.