Officials: Two undocumented men kidnapped and robbed Sumter woman

Posted: Dec 20, 2008 02:42 PM PST
Updated: Dec 21, 2008 03:03 PM PST

SUMTER, SC (WIS) - Police say two undocumented men kidnapped and robbed a woman. Luckily, she was not hurt.

As for the men charged, police say they will both be deported after they go to trial.

At first, police say one of the men lied about his identity and they are still looking into the identity of the other one.

It was a typical day for the woman. Police say she was just trying to sell jewelry out of her van in the old Applebee's parking lot to make ends meet.

"She in fact was meeting a customer here to deliver some jewelry," Chief Patty Patterson said.

Then, something untypical happened.

"When at that point and time she was kidnapped by two Hispanic males," Patterson said.

Police say those two men are Alejandor Acosta-Delos Cobos and Freddie Montoya.

Police say the men hit the woman in the face, tied her up, and blind-folded her. Then the men robbed her and left her on the side of the road in her van. She was finally able to make it to Dixon's Grocery and call for help.

"They have put a detainer on him and Montoya," Patterson said.

They say Cobos is an illegal immigrant.

"He is actually from Mexico, ICE has advised us of his true identity," Patterson said.

As for Montoya, the Immigrations and Customs Enforcement says he is from Honduras. They are still looking into whether he is legally here or not.

"During the search, the detectives recovered several different forms of ID as well as Social Security Numbers and pictures," Patterson said.

Sumter Police say they hope this incident will make others realize they need to be extra careful, especially around this time of year.

"It gets dark a little bit earlier now, so you want to be in a public place versus a private location," Patterson said.

As for the victim in the kidnapping and robbery, Patterson says the woman is doing just fine and still improving.

Police say the two men charged are not strangers to the law. They say one of the men has an extensive criminal history of burglaries and larcenies.

If you have any details about the two men that would be helpful call Sumter police.

Reported by Jackie Faye

Posted by Jeremy Turnage

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