Woman lets hostages go, then surrenders to police

Deseret News (Salt Lake City), Nov 4, 2004

CLAYTON, N.C. (AP) -- Police believe it was a case of a friend defending a friend.

A woman who took three people hostage at a Caterpillar factory Tuesday afternoon was apparently upset over a friend being fired by the construction equipment manufacturer.

Pam Arizona, armed with a shotgun and claiming to have explosives on her body, released her captives over the course of two hours before surrendering to officers. By early evening, investigators had found no evidence of explosives.

Arizona, 55, was jailed on $1 million bail early Wednesday, authorities said. She was charged with kidnapping and making false bomb threats.

"Apparently, she is an acquaintance or friend of an employee terminated recently" and was "demanding answers," said Johnston County Sheriff Steve Bizzell. He described Arizona, who is not a Caterpillar employee, as "irate about the treatment that her friend got."

Negotiators brought in the friend to talk with Arizona, said State Bureau of Investigation agent Mike East. The friend said she was worried about Arizona's safety.