Kidnaping Ends in Shootout
SANTA ANA — A kidnaping that began in Riverside County ended in a shootout between police and one of the suspected kidnapers, authorities said Friday.
The incident began at 6:45 a.m. Thursday when two armed men burst into a house, Riverside Sheriff’s Detective Henry Sawicki said. The men yelled about drugs and money, grabbed 21-year-old Erlinda Gomez and demanded that family members hand over the keys to a pickup, he said.
Santa Ana police later located the truck and freed Gomez; one of the suspects ran away, firing at officers, Santa Ana Police Sgt. Art Echternacht said. At least two officers shot and wounded the suspect, identified as Ignacio Martinez, 20. He was taken to Western Medical Center and has been arrested on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon, abduction and vehicle theft, police said. The other suspect escaped.
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