Man charged in connection with kidnapped Primera girl

HARLINGEN — A 27-year-old man was formally charged Wednesday with kidnapping a 14-year-old Primera girl.

Victor Garcia, accused of abducting Diana Izaguirre from her home Monday night, went before a justice of the peace who read the third-degree felony kidnapping charge and set bail at $75,000.

Police have said that Garcia reportedly was either the girl’s boyfriend or ex-boyfriend. However, Primera Police Chief Mario Leal said Wednesday that so far, the investigation shows that Garcia and Izaguirre "had no relationship, only that they knew each other."

Garcia has maintained his innocence, Leal said.

After an Amber Alert was issued Monday night, Garcia called authorities to say he had not kidnapped the girl, the police chief said.

Police are still looking for two other suspects believed to be involved in the case, Leal said.

Garcia also faced a judge in Brownsville Wednesday morning on a charge of possession of marijuana.

A handcuffed Garcia nodded his head throughout the hearing before Justice of the Peace Sallie Gonzalez, sighed several times, looked up to the ceiling on occasion and even stomped his foot at one point.

He did not answer questions from reporters.

Leal said after the arraignment that although there have been conflicting reports and the case is still under investigation, it is being treated as a kidnapping.

Some news accounts have said Garcia had previously dated Izaguirre’s 17-year-old sister.

Leal said that these rumors are "not pertinent to the case." If it is discovered during the investigation that Garcia and Izaguirre had a relationship, that information "could be pertinent" to the case, the police chief said. But it would be up to the District Attorney’s Office to determine that, he said.

"As far as we’re concerned, we had a kidnapping and we had to have an Amber Alert. And it basically went nationwide," Leal said.

Leal said the alert issued Monday was justified and helpful in finding Izaguirre.

"If you had seen the mother — the look on her face," Leal said. "And then when we told them that she was recovered — then you would understand."

Leal said Garcia has been "very evasive" with the information he has given authorities.

Garcia has also acted "cocky" and "(keeps) claiming that he didn’t have her," the police chief said.

After the Amber Alert was issued, Leal said Garcia started calling authorities saying he had not kidnapped Izaguirre.

"To me it’s just very cocky and irresponsible. And in my opinion, it’s like he has a hand in the cookie jar. That’s what we caught him with. He had the victim," Leal said.

Leal said that although Garcia maintains his innocence, a witness — a relative of the girl — makes the investigation "a slam-dunk case."

Even if the investigation later shows that Garcia and Izaguirre had a relationship, Leal said, Garcia was still in violation of the law.

"She’s 14 years old, he’s 27. Irregardless — you know, think about it. He has no business with her," Leal said.

Leal said Izaguirre was examined at Valley Baptist Medical Center in Harlingen for any signs of physical harm as well as sexual assault as a routine procedure and that the girl "has been cooperative to some extent" in the case.