Kidnapped Malibu Girl's Mother Grateful for Daughter's Life

The Malibu City Council paid special thanks to two Malibu men and a Los Angeles County sheriff's detective Monday for their bravery in saving a kidnapped Malibu teenager.

Mayor Laura Zahn Rosenthal read a proclamation in honor of Michael Miller, 65, and Joseph Evans, 51, both of Malibu, as well as Los Angeles County sheriff's Det. Jill Greenwood for the .

The actions of all three resulted in the arrest of 28-year-old Alexis Fantauzzi, who is a 17-year-old girl on June 12 as she was waiting in her car at the signal at Pacific Coast Highway and Webb Way in Malibu.

Mayor Pro Tem Lou La Monte said the girl's mother, who will remain unnamed to protect the identity of her daughter, was so thankful to have her daughter home.

"The mother of this young girl called me because they were going to be away. She wanted to you all to specially know that she is so incredibly grateful for her daughter’s life," La Monte said.

Miller, whose family attended the meeting in support, encouraged those in attendance to remain vigilant.

Greenwood thanked Miller and Evans for their actions.

"Without them I wouldn’t have been able to get there. So thank you for being diligent and vigilant and amazing citizens," Greenwood said.

Rosenthal praised the trio for stepping up.

"I truly believe people do it more than they don't. It's nice when the city is able to say thank you in a very public way to people," Rosenthal said.

Miller is credited with confronting Fantauzzi as he was pumping gas on Pacific Coast Highway and Heathercliff Road, but the man drove off with the girl.

While Miller went in to call the police, Evans followed Fantauzzi and relayed information to the sheriff's department. Greenwood arrived first at the scene on Kanan Dume Road and took Fantauzzi into custody.