Kidnapping victim found safe, suspects still at large
After an extensive manhunt, Detectives with the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office have found a victim kidnapped Saturday at a Cutler gas station. The victim had been forced into the back seat of his own vehicle, which was then driven away by one of the two suspects.
On Saturday at approximately 11:50 a.m., deputies were called to a gas station in the 40300 Block of Road 128 in Cutler regarding a suspicious incident which had just occurred. Deputies arrived on scene and were told by witnesses of a possible kidnapping.
Video surveillance at a local store showed the victim pulling up to the gas pumps in his 2007 Nissan Versa, license plate #7XWY131. A short time later, a black truck pulled up next to the victim’s vehicle, at which time two Hispanic males were seen exiting the truck.
The two males confronted the victim and he is seen being pushed into the back seat of his own vehicle. Both vehicles then fled south on Road 128 toward Visalia.
The suspect’s vehicle is described as a Black Lifted Nissan Titan with oxidized or faded paint on the cab, black wheels, black tinted windows and ‘Discount Auto’ paper plates.
Deputies found the victim’s vehicle abandoned in the area of Ave 392 and Road 128. Detectives with the TCSO’S Violent Crimes Unit have responded to the scene and taken over the investigation.
Detectives followed up on numerous leads over the weekend, which led to the successful recovery of the victim, who has minor injuries as a result of the kidnapping but is in overall good health.
Due to the ongoing investigation, TCSO said details leading up to the victim’s recovery can not be released at this time.
The suspects in this case are still outstanding, and anyone with information or who knows the identity of the victim or possible suspects is asked to contact Detective Brandon Vancuren or Sgt. Gary Marks with the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office at (559) 733-6218 or they can remain anonymous by calling or texting (559)725-4194 or through email at tcso@tipnow.com.