Man Charged with Kidnapping Immigrants

Updated: Tuesday, 10 Nov 2009, 10:24 PM CST
Published : Tuesday, 10 Nov 2009, 2:56 PM CST

Austin Police have charged Osmin Hernadez with aggravated kidnapping after they say he kidnapped several illegal immigrants and held them against their will in a house in north Austin.

According to court paperwork, police responded to a 911 call where the victim told police there were several people being held against their will in a home on Galewood Drive. Police met with the victim who told them that he had paid smugglers $5,000 for him and his wife to be brought to the United States. The man and his wife were taken to San Antonio and left in a home with another woman.

The victim told police that on Friday, two unknown men entered the home and beat up the person who lived in the residence and tied him up. The suspects then stole car belonging to the resident and herded the three people into the car before driving to the four-plex on Galewood Drive. The kidnappers then left the three in the care of another man who was staying at the residence.

While in Austin, the victim, his wife, and the other woman were able to open a bedroom window and escape. They then were able to call police and point them to the residence where they were held. When police arrived, all the suspects were gone.

Police determined that Hernandez was the person who was paying the utility bills for that residence. Investigators showed a picture of Hernandez to the victims who positively identified him as the man holding them against their will in the four-plex.

Police are still searching for Hernandez and the other suspects.

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