5 arrested in Nuevo Laredo kidnap attempt

5 arrested in Nuevo Laredo kidnap attempt

Posted on Feb 19, 2008 in Legal Actions by PMC Comments Off

NUEVO LAREDO – Kidnappers demanding a $10 million ransom for the release of a Dallas man were captured by city police Sunday.The victim, Sergio Diaz de Leon Rivera, was rescued after family members called police to tell of the ransom demand.

The five suspects snatched Diaz de Leon Rivera in the downtown historical district Saturday.

The suspects appeared at a hearing Monday before a state court on federal charges of illegal deprivation of liberty and criminal association, among others.

According to court documents, Emeregildo Diaz De Leon of Dallas told Nuevo Laredo police that Sergio had been taken by men he could not identify.

“We received a call at 11:45 p.m. Saturday at our home in Dallas and it was Sergio. He told us that he was being held after a traffic accident,” Emeregildo reportedly told police. “Afterwards a man came on the line demanding $10 million in order to pay for the damages to a 2002 Suburban.”

The suspects were arrested Sunday morning at a residence in the 1000 block of Lauro del Villar street, between Gutierrez and Mina streets on the city’s west side.

In custody are Alejandro Bautista Velásquez, 18; Miguel Rosas Muñoz, 18; Jesús Antonio Aguilar Gómez, 25; Jesús Espinoza Fuentes, 28 and Alejandro Rosas Muñoz, 23.

All five men declared their innocence at Monday’s hearing.

Police allege Rosas Muñoz had demanded money from victim’s family in Dallas. Police allege he was in possession of a .45 caliber pistol when arrested.

Sergio Díaz De León Rivera reportedly told police he was involved in a traffic accident, and that his vehicle had rear-ended the Suburban.

According to police, the victim was taken by two of the accused to the Lauro del Villar location.

Díaz De León Rivera claimed the men psychologically abused him by holding the pistol to his head and demanding that he pay for damages to the Suburban.

Family members reportedly told police the men told them to bring money to the Lauro del Villar house, where they would be reunited with Díaz De León Rivera.

It was after family members called city police the rescue operation carried out.

Mayor Ramon Garza Barrios said criminal activity would not be tolerated.

“Police officers arrested the kidnapping suspects, as well as another group we believe are robbing businesses,” Garza Barrios said. “We are working to regain the confidence the community has lacked for so many years.”

Members of a downtown business association were happy with the police action taken against the accused.

“We urge the authorities to continue to clean up the area,” the group said in a statement Monday

Tags: kidnappers, Nuevo Laredo, Ransom