AUBURN, Wash. (KING) – A 21-year-old pregnant woman who was kidnapped at gunpoint from her apartment in Washington state has been found alive in Mexico.
Jackelin Perez, who is six weeks pregnant, went missing from the Auburn apartment she shares with her husband on the evening of October 13. Police received the news of her being found alive on Wednesday.
“It was shocking. It was a surprise to all of us and really just thrilling,” said Kolby Crossley, a public information officer for the Auburn Police Department.
Mexican authorities located Perez in the past few days. She confirmed to officers that she was kidnapped at gunpoint from her apartment.
Perez’s kidnappers took her to Mexico, where they eventually released her. The reason for her release in Mexico remains unclear.
Originally from Guatemala, Perez had only lived in Auburn for four months. She is now back in her native country and plans to stay there.
Police believe illegal activity led to Perez’s kidnapping and that multiple suspects were involved.
“We believe there was some sort of illegal activity happening that led to this, which she was not involved in, so she just got caught up in it,” Crossley said.
One suspect, a 24-year-old man, was tracked to Texas and arrested last Saturday. He will be extradited back to Washington.
Police also noted that Perez’s husband arrived home about 20 minutes after her kidnapping but did not call the police until the next morning. They have not ruled out the possibility that he was involved as the investigation continues.
“There is a lot to still go over. But the great news is that she was found and that she is safe,” Crossley said.
Source: WSAZ3
