A California family was kidnapped at gunpoint. Here’s what we know and a timeline of events
UPDATE: Bodies of kidnapped Merced County family found
On Monday morning, four family members were kidnapped at gunpoint from a business they operated just south of Merced off South Highway 59, Gateway Parking.
Wednesday evening, the bodies of 8-month-old Aroohi Dheri, her parents Jasleen Kaur, 27, and Jasdeep Singh, 36, and her uncle Amandeep Singh, 39, were found in a rural area northeast of Dos Palos.
Here’s a timeline of events in the abduction of the Merced County family.
Monday, Oct. 3, date of the kidnapping
8:30 a.m. — Exterior surveillance video from the victims’ business Gateway Parking on South Highway 59 shows Jasdeep Singh arrive in a brown minivan.
8:39 a.m. — Amandeep Singh arrives at the business in a black pickup truck.
8:58 a.m. — Video shows the suspect walking southbound on Highway 59 toward the business.
8:59 a.m. — Jasdeep comes out and makes contact with the suspect and walks him back to the business. The suspect is wearing a facemask and is carrying a trash bag. The video shows the suspect take out a firearm as he enters the building.
9:11 a.m. — The suspect comes out of the back of the building, still holding the firearm. Both Jasdeep and Amandeep exit the building and the video shows they both are restrained with zip ties behind their backs.
9:13 a.m. — Jasdeep and Amandeep are put into the back seat of the black pickup truck and the vehicle leaves.
9:19 a.m. — The suspect returns to the business in the same black pickup truck. The video shows Jasleen exit the building while holding Aroohi while being escorted by the suspect, who is still holding the firearm. Jasleen and Aroohi are put in the vehicle and the pickup truck heads southbound on Highway 59.
11:39 a.m. — Firefighters with Cal Fire’s Madera-Mariposa-Merced unit were dispatched to Buhach Road and Oakdale Road in Winton after a black 2020 Dodge Ram truck was reported on fire.
12:35 p.m. — California Highway Patrol officers arrived on the scene and requested help from the Merced Police Department to contact the truck’s registered owner, Amandeep Singh.
1:04 p.m. — Merced County Sheriff deputies arrive at Gateway Parking business located on Highway 59. Deputies determine the business is a crime scene and the kidnapping investigation is initiated.
Tuesday, Oct. 4, suspect arrested
Just before noon, detectives receive information that Jesus Manuel Salgado, 48, could be a person of interest in the kidnapping case.
Detectives received information that one of the victims’ ATM cards was used at an ATM located at a bank in the City of Atwater.
Prior to law enforcement taking him into custody, Salgado attempted to take his own life. Salgado is now receiving medical attention and is in critical condition.
Wednesday, Oct. 5, bodies found
10 a.m. — Merced County Sheriff’s Office holds a press conference to update information. Detectives are with Salgado at a medical treatment facility waiting for doctors to get him to the point where he can cooperate.
5:30 p.m. — The bodies of all four family members are found by a farm worker in a remote area near the intersection of Indiana and Hutchins roads, northeast of Dos Palos.
How to help
Deputies are asking for anyone with information about the kidnapping to call 209-385-7547. Tips are confidential and you can remain anonymous.
