Madera County Sheriff’s Office: Three arrested in attempted kidnapping of family member

“On 9/4/21 at 6:45pm the Madera County Communications Center received a report of an attempted kidnapping in the 28000 block of Arizona Avenue in Madera.

MCSO Deputy García arrived on scene and learned a 21 year old woman at the residence had been the victim of an attempted abduction shortly before his arrival. According to witnesses at the scene, multiple suspects arrived at the location and began to forcibly take the victim towards their vehicle in an attempt to remove her from the area. Witnesses were able to intervene and release the victim from their possession. The suspects then left the scene.

Through the course his investigation, Deputy Garcia determined the suspects were family members of the victim. They were identified as Antonio Gonzalez Martinez (62), Elias Gonzalez Juarez (39), and Mayda Lopez Santiago (28).

Deputies Garcia and Pena located the suspects at their residence in Madera where they were arrested and transported to the Madera County Jail. Each suspect was booked on felony charges of kidnapping and conspiracy.

Sheriff Tyson Pogue states, “I applaud the swift investigation of Deputies Garcia and Pena and their efforts to protect the safety of the victim in this case. We would like to reassure residents that this was an isolated incident, and there is no danger to the public.””