Trial date postponed in In-Shape abduction, rape case

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — A trial date was postponed Thursday to early next year in the case of a woman kidnapped from the parking lot of an In-Shape Family Fitness and raped in an orchard.

Defense counsel requested the postponement — at least one of the attorneys is currently in trial — and a new trial date was set for Jan. 27.

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There are two defendants: Vincent DeLeon, 43, and Jesus Chavez Torres, 36. Both are being held without bail.

DeLeon and Torres allegedly acted together and looked for cars to burglarize in the parking lot of the In-Shape on Coffee Road on the morning of Dec. 15, 2023.

According to testimony from a preliminary hearing , DeLeon, armed with a gun, waited for a woman to return to her car, then opened the driver's side door and ordered her into the passenger seat as he drove.

DeLeon forced her to withdraw money from a drive-thru ATM then took her to orchards near Taft, where he raped her, according to testimony. He later left her outside the Vallarta Supermarket on Panama Lane.

It's alleged DeLeon kept in touch with Torres by phone during the hourslong incident. The two later bought clothing with the stolen money, according to testimony.

DeLeon is charged with kidnapping, rape and robbery, among other crimes. Torres is charged with kidnapping, robbery and other crimes. Both he and DeLeon are gang members, prosecutors say.