Police Bust Suspected Armed Kidnapping Syndicate

POSTED: 10:48 am MST March 8, 2007

PHOENIX -- Phoenix police on Thursday announced the arrests of six people in connection with the armed kidnapping of undocumented immigrants.

Police said the Phoenix Gun Squad and Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms officials developed information on a possible criminal syndicate that may have been responsible for armed kidnappings of human smugglers and their live cargo on Valley freeways.

Investigators determined that 27-year-old Pablo Duran Guzman and his group were profiling possible victims by cruising Valley freeways.

At 11 p.m. Wednesday, officials said a Phoenix police helicopter spotted Guzman and three others, 26-year-old Jesus Avena-Pina, 31-year-old Alvaro Avena-Acuna and 26-year-old Javier Gerardo Perez, driving eastbound on Interstate 10 in a large pickup.

Police said the suspects rammed another large pickup, forcing it to exit the freeway at Warner Road.

The second pickup came to a stop about one block east of the freeway.

Officers were following the helicopter's directions to the scene, but before they could get there, police said the suspects forced 15 people from the rammed pickup into their own pickup at gunpoint and fled on eastbound Interstate 10.

They left the victims' pickup on Warner Road.

Police said the helicopter followed the suspects' pickup to a home near 35th Avenue and Osborn Road.

Officers said they entered the home to find Guzman's companions and 15 undocumented immigrants. The suspects were arrested and the immigrants were taken into custody by Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers.

Police said Guzman had left the house by himself and was arrested at an apartment near 24th Street and Thomas Road.

Detectives said further information led them to another location near Pierce and 13th streets, where they arrested Eleo Marin Garcia and Thomas Castillo Garcia, both 29.

Police said no one was injured during the operation.

Investigators said Wednesday night's arrests do not appear to be connected to similar incidents in the Valley, including an armed kidnapping at 50th Street and Ray Road two weeks ago.

Search warrants were served Thursday at the three locations where the arrests were made.

The suspects face multiple charges including kidnapping and possible weapons violations.
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