On Sunday, April 24, 2016 just before 4:00 am., an Officer was dispatched to meet with the Cobb County Police Department at the Racetrack Gas Station located on Bells Ferry near I-575 in reference to a possible Kidnapping incident. Upon arrival, a Cobb Officer advised he was dispatched earlier to the Racetrack and made contact with the Hispanic female victim and her seven (7) year old son. The Officer relayed he was advised by the victim that both she and her son were earlier forced into the suspect’s vehicle in Canton near her residence. The reporting Officer learned the female and her son were initially driven to the Quick Trip Gas Station off Bells Ferry near I-575 after she convinced the suspect that she had to use the restroom.
Further investigation revealed, the victim began texting a male friend while they were traveling with the suspect and advised the friend that both she and her son needed help. Once at the Quick Trip, the victim advised she stayed in the restroom until the store clerk checked on her. After telling the clerk what happened, the victim advised the clerk hid them from the suspect behind the store coolers until the victim’s friend arrived and was able to get them across the street to the Racetrack Gas station where they called 911.
Through subsequent interviews, evidence collection and a through investigation, a Detective was able to conduct surveillance and located the suspect in the case as the Hispanic male was leaving a church in Marietta, Ga., just after noon on Sunday, April 24, 2016. At that time, the Marietta Police Department quickly made contact with the suspect and took him into custody for the felony crime after conducting a traffic stop.
Canton Police Chief Mark J. Mitchell stated, “We are extremely grateful the victim and her son were able to elude the suspect in the case and get away from him with the help of a friend and the concerned Store Clerk. Our responding Officers and investigating Detective worked hard in their response, investigation and arrest of this individual which brought a successful resolution to this criminal act which furthers our efforts to protect and improve the quality of life in our Community.”
