Kidnapping victim found in trunk of car at international bridge
HIDALGO — Police here rescued a kidnapping victim from the trunk of a car bound for Mexico Tuesday morning.
Police are not releasing many details about the kidnapping because it is still under investigation and officers want to protect the victim from further danger, Captain Robert Vela of the Hidalgo Police Department said.
A police officer stationed at the Hidalgo-Reynosa International Bridge was inspecting southbound traffic when he came across a driver who looked younger than the average licensed driver, investigators said. At least one patrolman is always on duty at the port of entry to secure the toll booths and keep an eye out for stolen vehicles and wanted suspects.
At about 2:15 a.m., the officer begins to question the young driver, who is seemingly nervous, Vela said. As he is doing this, the officer hears a thumping coming from the rear of the vehicle. Police are not disclosing its make or model.
The officer, figuring something is not right, asks the driver to step out, handcuffs him and calls for backup, investigators said. When relief arrives, the officer heads to the trunk and begins hearing a humming noise.
“Is there anybody in there,” the officer asked.
At that point, the humming and the thumping get louder, Vela said.
When investigators opened the trunk, they found a gagged man bound from his ankles and wrists, police said. The victim, a U.S. citizen living in the Western part of Hidalgo County, tells them he’s been held captive for two to three days.
No one, however, reported him missing, Vela said.
The driver, a juvenile and U.S. citizen, was arrested and taken to a juvenile detention center, police said. Officials are withholding his age.
Vela said it’s not unusual for officers to find contraband heading to Mexico, but this is the first time a kidnapped person is found. It would be difficult to tell if any others have been taken across the Rio Grande in the same manner because not every single car is inspected.
