On October 16th, 2015 at approximately 7:30 am, Antioch Police Officers were dispatched to the 3000 block of “G” St for a possible kidnapping.
According to Antioch Police, an employee of Sutter Elementary School was on her way to work and noticed an 11-year-old female student in the front seat of a vehicle with an adult male. The employee was familiar with the female and knew that the male was not related to her.
“The employee used her own vehicle to block in the responsible, and contacted the police,” said Corporal Powell Meads.
Arriving officers contacted and detained the male, identified as 51 year old Santiago Salazar of Brentwood. It was determined through interviews that Salazar was not known to the victim.
“He followed her as she was walking to school and lured her over to his vehicle. The victim walked over Salazar’s vehicle and he opened the passenger door from inside. As they continued to talk, Salazar grabbed the victim by the wrist and pulled her into his vehicle. It was at this point the Sutter Elementary employee intervened,” said Meads.
Salazar was arrested for kidnapping and was booked into Contra Costa County Jail.
On Friday, the Antioch Unified School District alerted parents to the incident with the following message.
Good Afternoon,
This is Park Middle School calling with an important safety announcement. Administration at Park Middle School has just confirmed that there was a possible abduction of a female student this morning while the student was on the way to school. The student is safe.
According to information we have received, Antioch Police Department may be issuing a press release with further information.
Please take a moment to review stranger danger with your children and to remind them to never get into a vehicle with a stranger, even when the stranger says that he or she is a friend or has been sent to pick them up by another family member.
As always, your child’s safety is our number one concern. Please do not hesitate to contact us should you have further questions or concerns.
In March, Antioch Police arrested Javonn Allen, 21, in connection with two attempted kidnappings of 16-year-old females.
Update October 28, 2015:
The Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office has said that Santiago Salazer has been released from custody and no charges have been filed. The DA’s office said there was insufficient evidence to file charges.
