On 10/30/11, at approximately 10:00 PM, officers responded to 1126 English Oak Dr. on report of a missing person call.  Officers made contact with a subject that reported the resident of the home, Yin-Yan Schmidt (34 YOA), missing.

    Yin-Yan reportedly left her home earlier in the evening on the 30th to meet with her estranged husband, Gerald Schmidt (52 YOA), at an unknown address.  According to Yin-Yan’s relatives, the Schmidt’s have had a tumultuous relationship and they were worried foul play might be involved. 

    Detectives were able to determine during their investigation that Mr. Schmidt possibly took Ms. Schmidt to Texas against her will.  Authorities in Texas were notified by our detectives about the incident on Monday morning.  Police were then able to locate the Schmidt’s on a traffic stop in Jasper, TX later on Monday.  This is an on-going investigation, but it does appear that Ms. Schmidt was taken against her will. 

    Ms. Schmidt is in good health and back with her family, and Mr. Schmidt is facing Kidnapping charges and is awaiting extradition back to Benton from Texas at this time.  Anyone with information regarding this case is asked to please contact the Benton Police Department at 778-1171 or 315-TIPS.