Police Chief Speaks about Kidnapping and Crime in the Valley

Posted: May 19, 2016 6:35 PM PDT
Updated: May 19, 2016 6:35 PM PDT


SAN JUAN — Rio Grande Valley law enforcement officials are reacting to the news of two U.S. citizens arrested in Mexico for kidnapping another U.S. citizen.

CHANNEL 5 NEWS is waiting to hear whether the suspects involved will face charges in the U.S. Police say it’s a concern.

San Juan Police Chief Juan Gonzales said the news has implications on this side of the border.

“It does concern us for two reasons,” Gonzales said. “One of the main reasons is the fact that, obviously, the people committing violent crimes are not just Mexican nationals or people that are here illegally. These individuals are obviously born citizens from this area. The second part is that they are working in conjunction with the Gulf Cartel.”

Jose Castillo Jr., 18, is from Brownsville, and Jordi Alejandro Gonzalez, 25, is from Hidalgo.

The two are accused of kidnapping a man in McAllen, taking him across the river to Reynosa and holding him against his will in Matamoros.
Mexican authorities said the men tried to collect ransom from the victim’s family.

Chief Gonzales said these kinds of kidnappings happen often in the Valley. It’s impossible to say how often, because most do not get reported to law enforcement.

“We don’t expect or feel that regular citizens will be targeted,” he said. “But we’ve always said this, ‘They can be caught in crossfire.’”

CHANNEL 5 NEWS did some digging into the suspects. Jordi Alejandro Gonzalez has a criminal history. In 2015, he pleaded guilty to possession of gambling equipment.

Court documents state Gonzalez helped run an illegal eight-liner establishment on a South 23rd Street lot in McAllen.

Chief Gonzales said criminals in the Valley often have ties to cartels that are committing violent crimes across the border. That’s why the public should report all suspicious activity to police.

“The minute that people choose not to get involved and not be a part of, be a partner to law enforcement, then bad things happen,” Gonzales said. “Usually, these individuals exploit that.”

It’s unclear if the men will face charges in the United States. The FBI usually investigates cross-border kidnappings. They can’t confirm or deny anything on this case. Count on CHANNEL 5 NEWS to report on any new details.

Police Chief Speaks about Kidnapping and Crime in the Valley Rio Grande Valley law enforcement officials are reacting to the news of two U.S. citizens arrested in Mexico for kidnapping another U.S. citizen.

http://www.krgv.com/story/32021209/p...idnapping-case