Gang Member Arrested for Kidnapping and Attempted Murder
BAKERSFIELD – One suspect is still on the run and another is in custody after the pair kidnapped a man inside his home in east Bakersfield on Sunday.
Police said the incident occurred at about 7 p.m. on May 20, when 25-year old Bakersfield resident Anthony Victor Ochoa and an unknown second suspect got into an argument with a 48-year-old man inside his residence in the 2000 block of Pacific Street.
As the argument escalated, the pair kidnapped the victim, whose name was withheld, at gunpoint and drove away from the scene in a vehicle occupied by the two men.
Just a short distance away, while driving in the area of Panorama Drive and Mount Vernon Avenue, one of the suspects allegedly shot the abducted man in the back, the sheriff’s office said.
The victim then somehow managed to escape and called 911 from a nearby store.
He was transported by ambulance to Kern Medical Center with non- life-threatening injuries.
Ochoa, a known gang member and convicted felon, was later captured after a short vehicle pursuit with Bakersfield police officers.
Deputies from the Kern County Sheriff’s Gang Suppression Section responded to assist and after conducting a follow-up investigation, were able to place Ochoa under arrest.
He was booked into the Kern County Sheriff’s Office Central Receiving Facility on charges of attempted homicide, kidnapping, assault with a deadly weapon, conspiracy and participation in a criminal street gang.
He is being held on $800,000 bail.
A spokesperson for police said they do not know what motivated the alleged kidnapping and shooting, nor are they able to provide a description on the second suspect.
Read more:
Bakersfield Californian: Suspect Arrested in Connection wit Kidnapping, Attempted Murder
Bakersfield Now: 1 Arrested for Alleged Kidnapping, Shooting
