Four arrested after two kidnapping victims rescued

By Becky Bosshart, Mary Manning

Published Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2009 | 12:14 p.m.

Updated Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2009 | 7:27 p.m.

North Las Vegas Police said Tuesday that four suspects have been arrested for kidnapping two men who were rescued through the efforts of four law enforcement agencies.

A 34-year-old North Las Vegas man was assaulted by two men and kidnapped Monday at his home in the 3400 block of Brazil Street, near Cheyenne Avenue and Community College Drive. A passerby witnessed the kidnapping and called 911 at 3:30 p.m., North Las Vegas Police Department spokesman Tim Bedwell said.

“Public assistance in this case was critical,” he said.

Family members reported to police that the kidnappers demanded a ransom, police said.

Investigators followed leads through the night, which brought them to the 100 block of Boysenberry Lane. The second kidnapping victim, a 29-year-old man, was found inside the home. Police said he was a resident of the home.

The North Las Vegas man suffered minor injuries when he was taken from his home. The Henderson man was not injured.

Four men were arrested at the scene, three of whom attempted to flee on foot just before Henderson and North Las Vegas SWAT teams could enter the home. They didn't get far, Bedwell said, before police officers caught them.

Fernando Villalobos, 25, Joel Anguiano-Barreto, 30, Javier Perez, 24, and Alberto Mendoza, 29, face several charges including felony kidnapping, extortion and robbery. North Las Vegas police have not yet released where the men are from.

Bedwell said police believe the suspects were tipped off to police presence about 11 a.m. Several firearms were recovered from the Henderson house.

Metro police officers also participated in the case.

FBI spokesman David Staertz said that the FBI assisted the local police agencies through the federal CAT detail, which stands for Criminal Apprehension Team. The team is housed at the FBI and assists local law enforcement, he said.

Becky Bosshart can be reached at 990-7748 or [email protected].