Jonathan Vaca, a Hayward resident, has been charged with kidnapping an on-duty California Highway Patrol officer, Officer Timothy Brown. The incident occurred during a routine traffic stop on New Year's Eve 2025 for a minor traffic violation. Brown had asked Vaca to remove his seatbelt and then demanded to inspect the car for potential VIN switching. Vaca allegedly refused Brown's request and drove off as Brown attempted to unbuckle him from the car, trapping Brown in the moving vehicle. Vacas managed to escape but was arrested three weeks later in Hayward. He has pleaded not guilty to charges including kidnapping a policeman, resisting CHP officers, and evading police.