The John and Ken Show mentioned this guy was an illegal immigrant. I'm looking for an article confirming it.

http://www.latimes.com

Kidnapping Suspect Arrested After Freeway Standoff
By Richard Winton
Times Staff Writer

3:07 PM PST, March 8, 2006

A man wanted for kidnapping surrendered peacefully today after a four-hour standoff with police that closed one of Los Angeles' busiest freeways.

The man, Eduardo Medina, 33, allegedly tried to kidnap the daughter of a Van Nuys restaurateur last year for ransom, Lt. Paul Vernon of the Los Angeles Police Department said.

Medina surrendered about 3 p.m., but the 710 Freeway, which had been closed since 11 a.m., was not immediately reopened.

Vernon called Medina a known gang member who was considered armed and dangerous.

Police did not identify the victim of the kidnapping, which occurred in December. On Dec. 10, an accomplice of Medina was caught as he attempted to collect the ransom, Vernon said. Medina managed to escape the scene in South Los Angeles.

The hostage was freed uninjured, Vernon said.

Medina has been sought ever since. LAPD officers located him this morning in the 1000 block of East Market Street in Long Beach, but he fled, Vernon said.

Police chased Medina from Long Beach to Bell, then closed in on the suspect's minivan on the 710 Freeway, shutting down traffic in both directions on the heavily traveled road.

Heavily-armored police vehicles known as "bears" blocked the suspect's van at the front and rear. The van was severely damaged from a front-end impact.

With news helicopters circling, local and national television broadcast the incident live. At least two Internet sites showed it continuously.

Caltrans closed a 1˝-mile stretch of the freeway southbound at Florence Avenue and northbound at Firestone Boulevard, said spokesman Dave White. The road carries 215,000 vehicles a day.

"We are suggesting that motorists avoid the area by using the 110 Freeway or Interstate 5," White said.

White noted that 17% of the daily traffic is trucks. The Long Beach Freeway is a critical route known for its heavy truck traffic to and from the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach.