David Burnhart, 47, arrested in realtor abduction case

Police have arrested a man in connection with the kidnapping of an Elk Grove, Calif., real estate agent at gunpoint at a model home late last week.

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David Burnhart, 47, a registered sex offender, was arrested Friday and will likely face charges of robbery, burglary, kidnapping, false imprisonment, and illegal possession of a firearm, says Elk Grove Police spokesman Chris Trim.

The female real estate agent told police that she had an appointment to meet a man at a model home who was interested in viewing the property last Thursday. Shortly after she arrived, she said the man threatened her at gunpoint, handcuffed her, and held her captive in the home for about an hour. The man told the female agent that they were going to walk out of the home together and removed her handcuffs. As they started to walk out the door, the agent was able to slam the door behind the man and lock the door, according to police reports.

The man drove off in a truck. The real estate agent said she flagged down a security officer passing by for help.

The incident is a reminder of the dangers that lurk for real estate professionals, says Paula Swayne with the Sacramento Association of Realtors. Late last year, an Arkansas real estate agent was kidnapped and murdered while showing a home to a potential buyer.

“If something feels wrong, listen,” Swayne says. “It’s not worth your life to go do something because you’re going to earn a commission.”