Thread: CA-Smuggler arrested after man held hostage

Smuggler arrested after man held hostage
Staff Writer
Article Launched: 09/23/2008 12:19:53 PM PDT


REDLANDS - A 31-year-old Tijuana woman was arrested Sunday for extortion and conspiracy after Redlands police investigated a report of a man being held captive by smugglers.
At about 8:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 21, Redlands police received a call from a man identifying himself as "a pastor in Big Bear" who reported that one of his parishioners had received a call from a smuggler who was holding the parishioner's cousin hostage and demanding money, according to city spokesman Carl Baker.

The victim was a 53-year-old undocumented alien who had been brought from Mexico a day earlier. The smugglers contacted the man's family demanding money.

The smugglers arranged with family members to meet in Redlands and make the exchange.

The suspects changed locations several times, apparently trying to avoid detection, while police, who remained in contact with the family, searched the area for more than two hours.

At about 10:45 p.m., two Redlands police officers in unmarked vehicles confirmed that a silver 2002 Toyota two-door matching the description of the suspect vehicle was in the parking lot at El Pollo Loco at the corner of Tennessee Street and Colton Avenue with a man matching the victim's description in the back seat, Baker said.

Two uniformed officers responded to the restaurant and arrested 31-year-old Maria Garcia, an undocumented alien from Tijuana, Mexico. She was arrested on suspicion of extortion and false imprisonment and transported

to West Valley Detention Center in Rancho Cucamonga.
The victim was released to his family unharmed.

A second suspect, a woman who arranged the exchange, is still sought.

Redlands Police have contacted the federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency who will continue the investigation.

Anyone with further information can contact Redlands Police Dispatch at (909) 798-7681.



http://www.redlandsdailyfacts.com/news/ci_10538212

You already posted another version of this story this morning at
http://www.alipac.us/ftopict-132909.html
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