Delano kidnapping, robbery investigation leads to 2 arrests
Two Colombian nationals from Stockton have been arrested on suspicion of kidnapping and robbing a 70-year-old Kern County woman, the Delano Police Department reported Tuesday.
The agency issued a news release saying the suspects, Christian Rojas Chauta, 30, and Claudia Castellanos Toqueca, 47, forced their way into the unidentified victim's home in Delano shortly after 10 a.m. May 9, abducted her and drove her to a bank where they demanded she withdraw money from her life savings.
After the pair threatened to return to the victim's home and harm her if she refused, the release said, she complied and gave them $25,000. It said they took an additional $350 from her purse before abandoning her.
The victim managed to return to the bank, a branch of Bank of the Sierra, where Delano police indicated she sought help.
Using automated license plate readers, deputies with the Stanislaus County Sheriff's Department located the suspects' white Honda Pilot and, conducting a traffic stop, apprehended the pair at about 1 p.m. Friday in Modesto, where they were arrested on suspicion of robbery, burglary, kidnapping, elder abuse, conspiracy and criminal threats.
Anyone with information about the case was asked to call 661-721-3377.
