Suspect Held, Four Sought in Covina Kidnaping Case

A San Diego man was arrested at a Covina apartment complex Monday after a kidnap victim escaped and called police.

Jesus Cortez Rodriguez, 27, was stopped by Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department deputies as he walked away from the victim’s apartment in the Club Pacifica complex at 21042 E. Arrow Highway about 6:30 p.m., Deputy Diane Hecht said.

Five men kidnaped the victim, a 38-year-old Colombian man who asked that his name be withheld, as he walked to his van about 8 a.m. that day, Hecht said. Four men forced the victim into his van and drove off while Rodriguez allegedly held the victim’s wife and three children hostage.

After driving around for several hours, the victim pulled over in Huntington Park and managed to escape.

The victim dialed 911 to report the hostage situation, and deputies from the Walnut sheriff’s substation surrounded the apartment and captured Rodriguez. No one was hurt, Hecht said. The four kidnapers in the van are still at large.