Two illegal immigrants and another man kidnapped a terrified mother and her infant daughter in North Carolina on Monday after the family refused to pay $1 million, according to authorities.
Paola Duran Duran, 25, her brother Miguel Angel Duran Duran, 23, and Eleodoro “Leo” Estrada-Hernandez, 37, are accused of holding the pair at gunpoint before releasing them.
Mom and daughter later showed up at a stranger’s door asking for help.
“The Garner Police Department is thankful that these victims were recovered “safely,” according to a statement.
“We appreciate the support of our community as we work tirelessly to arrest the suspects responsible and uncover the motive behind this crime.”
While the siblings were arrested on Wednesday, the third suspect, Estrada-Hernandez, is still at large and has a $10,000 reward for his capture.
According to local reports, the two arrested suspects were illegally present in the United States and were being held by ICE. The man’s whereabouts remained unknown.
The terrifying abduction began Monday night, when a masked trio armed with guns allegedly forced their way into Eliuth Alejandro Martinez’s home and demanded money, according to police.
Police said the victims told investigators that the kidnappers demanded $1 million, but Martinez refused to pay.
The kidnappers allegedly wrapped him in duct tape before fleeing in a black Nissan Altima with his wife, Alondra Michelle Benitez De Jesus, 26, and their 11-month-old daughter, Grecia Salome Alejandro-Benitez.
“Investigators quickly uncovered evidence and began to follow multiple leads to locate the victims,” according to a Garner County Police Department press release.
The kidnappers released the mother and daughter, who fled to a woman’s home early Tuesday morning, frantically knocking on her door for assistance, according to police.
The homeowner dialed 911, and police arrived to collect them.
The Duran Duran siblings were apprehended less than 24 hours after their abduction during a joint investigation by local police, the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, and the FBI.
The two were charged with multiple counts of kidnapping.
The FBI said investigators are still looking for Estrada-Hernandez, who faces multiple charges, including kidnapping and assault.
Hernandez is described as five-foot-four and weighs around 190 pounds. He has black hair, brown eyes, and several tattoos on his forearm.
Anyone with information on Hernandez can contact Garner Police Department Crime Stoppers at 919-834-4357 or 1-800-CALL FBI.