Amber Alert: One-Year-Old Child, Mother Goes Missing In California, Found Safe Later
An Amber Alert was issued on Monday night after a South Los Angeles mother and toddler were kidnapped by a 21-year-old man who is also the father of the child. The incident has been confirmed by the California Highway Patrol. However, the Amber alert was cancelled a few hours later after the duo were found safe.
According to a report by 10 News, the kidnapper has been identified as 21-year-old Luis Avalos. His victims included 22-year-old Sabrina Sanchez and her child, 18-month-old Ayden Avalos. The names of the kidnapped mother and child were released by the California Highway Patrol. Initial reports say that the mother-child duo were kidnapped at around 1:15 p.m., Monday. The suspect was seen driving a silver-colored Chevrolet Impala with a California registration plate number #7LPF713. Details of the alert were posted on the official Amber Alert website, as well as its Twitter handle. We have embedded the tweet below:
#LosAngeles, #California #AMBERAlert. For most current information, go to https://t.co/IAsHbAMZtV
— AMBER Alert (@AMBERAlert) April 5, 2016
The suspect has been described as an individual weighing 140 pounds who is 5 feet 6 inches tall. He is described as being bald with brown eyes. Officials are unclear about the clothing he was wearing at the time of the kidnaping. The 18-month-old toddler Ayden Svalos is described as having black hair and brown eyes and was wearing unknown clothing. The suspect is thought to be armed, violent and dangerous. The Amber Alert was active for the following counties: Los Angeles, Ventura, San Diego, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino and Imperial, before it was cancelled.
According to a report by KTLA 5, the mother-child duo were found safe at around 11 p.m at the same location where the abduction was reported. This has been confirmed by Officer Mike Lopez with the Los Angeles Police Department. According to Lopez, the mother, child, and the man were in the car when the couple got into an argument. He added that Sanchez got out of the car and started walking away after throwing her phone and purse at Avalos. However, after realizing she had forgotten her son in the car, she went back to the vehicle. This is when Avalos punched her, dragged her back into the vehicle through the car window, and drove off. The incident was witnessed by Sanchez’s mother, who reported it to the police. She also heard Sanchez scream “let me go” while she was abducted. In the confrontation, Sanchez’ cellphone was left behind at the scene. Officers got hold of this phone, which was used by them to call the suspect. He did answer the phone, during which officers reportedly could hear Sanchez’s screams in the background.
Officer Mike added:
“The officers advised the suspect, they needed to speak to the victim. The suspect placed the call on speaker. When asked if she was okay (three times), the victim finally replied ‘I’m fine.’ The call was terminated. The officers attempted to call back several times and there was no answer.”
The vehicle they were travelling in, a silver 2006 Chevy Impala, was found Monday night abandoned in West Covina, according to CHP Officer Francisco Villalobos. His whereabouts were unknown. According to CHP, Avalos has a long and violent criminal history. He is also a documented gang member and has had convictions for firearms and domestic violence. Police are currently on the lookout for Avalos, who is still on the run.
Anyone with information on the Avalos’ whereabouts is asked to call the Los Angeles Police Department at (213) 972-7828.
[Image Via Twitter]
