Authorities said on Friday that they are still searching for one of four people connected to a kidnapping for ransom plot that left a Southern California dispensary worker and a juvenile seriously injured.
The incident took place on June 10 around 10:30 p.m. at a marijuana dispensary located on the 13600 block of Arrow Route in Fontana.
Three male suspects entered the business targeting the adult employee, but also ended up kidnapping a juvenile relative of the victim, the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department stated in a news release.
Somehow, the juvenile managed to escape from the moving vehicle but needed hospitalization for serious injuries suffered during the ordeal.
“The adult victim was taken to a remote area of the San Bernardino National Forest near the Cajon Pass, where they were beaten and pistol-whipped, until a ransom payment was made,” the Sheriff’s Department stated.
The unidentified adult victim was also hospitalized with serious injuries, authorities said.
Investigators identified three men, 25-year-old Erick Garcia-Hernandez, 22-year-old David Colton and 23-year-old Agustin Lopez-Garcia as suspects in the kidnapping and assault and identified 26-year-old Ashley Lopez-Cedano as an accessory to the crime.
Garcia-Hernandez, Colton and Lopez-Cedano have been located, arrested and remain in custody. A felony warrant has been issued for Lopez-Garcia, who is thought to have fled the country, the Sheriff’s Department stated.
Investigators believe the suspects, who all live in the Muscoy area of unincorporated San Bernardino, are responsible for other kidnappings for ransom.
Anyone with information on the case or who may have been victimized by the suspects was urged to contact the Fontana Sheriff’s Station at 909-356-6710. Callers wishing to remain anonymous should contact We-Tip at 800-782-7463.
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