Two Arrested in Kidnapping, Robbery at El Monte Mall
Updated 1:18 PM PST, Mon, Jan 26, 2009
El Monte police Tuesday arrested a couple accused of trying to con a woman shopper at the Valley Mall, then abducting her and getting her to withdraw $400 from an automated teller machine last month.
The man and woman were arrested early this afternoon in Los Angeles, said El Monte police Detective Ralph Batres. Maricela Segura, 40, and Jaime Murua, 37, were taken into custody at about 1:30 p.m., after authorities received an anonymous tip from someone who saw ATM surveillance video of the female suspect that aired on a newscast.
The crime occurred on Dec. 20 when the man dropped a bag containing a gold chain, and the female suspect told the victim to pick it up so they could sell it, Batres said. When the woman refused to get involved, the female suspect pulled out a knife and ordered her into a white Ford Explorer, Batres alleged.
The woman was driven to her home, ordered to get a bank card, then driven to a Bank of America branch in nearby San Gabriel, where she withdrew $400 and gave it to the woman, investigators said.
Police, who had circulated ATM security video of the female suspect, were investigating whether the couple were involved in similar crimes.
Anyone with more information about the case was urged to call police at 626-705-1981.
First Published: Jan 6, 2009 2:33 PM PST
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