Suspect detained in kidnapping of 4 family members in California; victims remain missing
A California man suspected of kidnapping four members of a family — including an 8-month-old girl — was detained Tuesday. But the family remained missing.
Jesus Manuel Salgado, 48, used one of the victims’ credit cards Tuesday morning at an ATM in Atwater, about 70 miles east of San Jose, according to police.
It wasn’t long before officers caught up with him.
“Prior to law enforcement involvement, Salgado attempted to take his own life,” the Merced County sheriff’s office said in a Facebook post. “Salgado is in our custody, currently receiving medical attention and in critical condition.”
The man is suspected of kidnapping 8-month-old Aroohi Deri; her father Jasdeep Singh, 36; her mother Jasleen Kaur, 27; and her uncle Amandeep Singh, 39.
Police did not say if they suspected anyone of conspiring with Salgado.
The Singhs, Kaur and Aroohi were reported missing on Monday, after Amandeep Singh’s vehicle was discovered on fire in Winton, Calif., just north of Atwater, police said. About two hours later, after a preliminary investigation, cops determined that the family had been kidnapped.
“We have a lowlife out there who kidnapped an 8-month-old baby, her mom, her dad and her uncle,” Merced County Sheriff Vern Warnke said in a Facebook video.
