Motel worker kidnapped for ransom in Montebello
MONTEBELLO -- A man and woman kidnapped a motel worker Wednesday and unsuccessfully tried to hold her for ransom before releasing her, police said.
The crime occurred shortly before 1 p.m. at the Quality Inn, 7709 Telegraph Road, as a female motel employee was showing a banquet room at the motel to another woman who claimed to be interested in renting it, Montebello police said in a written statement.
The woman told the employee, who was in her 50s, she wanted to see the parking lot, Montebello police Sgt. Luis Lopez said.
"When the victim and suspect went outside to the parking lot, the victim was pushed into the suspect vehicle," according to the police statement. "Once in the vehicle, the victim was bound and blindfolded."
The vehicle -- a gray or green minivan -- had a man waiting behind the wheel.
A short time later, the kidnapped employee called co-workers, told them what had happened and asked them to retrieve her personal checkbook and cash a check for a "large amount" of money for ransom, Lopez said. The co-workers then called police.
The woman was released by her captors in Inglewood with minor injuries to her face about three hours later, Lopez said. The kidnappers received no money.
The female kidnapper was described as a Latino woman in her 30s, about 5 feet tall, 160 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes. The driver was described only as a Latino man.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Montebello Police Department Crimes Against Persons Bureau at (323) 887-1262.
The crime occurred shortly before 1 p.m. at the Quality Inn, 7709 Telegraph Road, as a female motel employee was showing a banquet room at the motel to another woman who claimed to be interested in renting it, Montebello police said in a written statement.
The woman told the employee, who was in her 50s, she wanted to see the parking lot, Montebello police Sgt. Luis Lopez said.
"When the victim and suspect went outside to the parking lot, the victim was pushed into the suspect vehicle," according to the police statement. "Once in the vehicle, the victim was bound and blindfolded."
The vehicle -- a gray or green minivan -- had a man waiting behind the wheel.
A short time later, the kidnapped employee called co-workers, told them what had happened and asked them to retrieve her personal checkbook and cash a check for a "large amount" of money for ransom, Lopez said. The co-workers then called police.
The woman was released by her captors in Inglewood with minor injuries to her face about three hours later, Lopez said. The kidnappers received no money.
The female kidnapper was described as a Latino woman in her 30s, about 5 feet tall, 160 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes. The driver was described only as a Latino man.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Montebello Police Department Crimes Against Persons Bureau at (323) 887-1262.
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| Frank Girardot, Metro Editor for the San Gabriel Valley Newspapers, brings you behind the yellow tape with takes on true crime, cold cases and more. This is also your forum to discuss crime, its impact on your neighborhood and how we cover it. Have any questions or tips? You can leave a comment here or e-mail Frank. |
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Brian Day is the crime reporter for the San Gabriel Valley Newspaper group. E-mail Brian. |
Somebody needs to tell these two mexicans that kidnappers never get away with the ransom money here in the USA. Go back across the border and try again.
It said they were Latino. Not Mexican! Learn to read.
Who wrote this article? "woman who claimed to be interesting in renting it"
"Who wrote this article? "woman who claimed to be interesting in renting it""
I did, sir. Is there something I can help you with?