On Tuesday, the Merced County Sheriffs office issued two updates regarding a family who is missing after they were kidnapped.
They announced the “person of interest” was in custody in the connection of a kidnapping of an 8-month-old baby, her parents, and her uncle after being abducted at gunpoint on Monday.
Police identified Jesus Manuel Salgado, 48, as the person of interest. When law enforcement was able to make contact with him, he attempted to take his own life. He is now in custody and receiving medical attention—he is also in critical condition.
October 4 UPDATE
It was determined that the photo of the person at the ATM was not the person of interest that is in custody. The victim’s ATM card was used, however we are working with the bank to obtain the correct photo.
Jesus Manuel Salgado
On October 4, 2022, in the morning hours, Merced County Sheriff Detectives received information that one of the victim’s ATM cards was used at an ATM located at a bank in the City of Atwater. Investigators obtained the surveillance photo of a subject making a bank transaction where the person is similar in appearance to the surveillance photo from the original kidnapping scene.
At approximately noon, working in conjunction with our local law enforcement partners, the Sheriff’s Office received information that identified Jesus Manuel Salgado (48-years-old) as a person of interest in this investigation. Prior to law enforcement involvement, Salgado attempted to take his own life. Salgado is in our custody, currently receiving medical attention and in critical condition.
The Sheriff’s Office, with the help of several law enforcement agencies continue to actively look for the eight-month-old Aroohi Dheri, her parents Jasleen Kaur (27), Jasdeep Singh (36) and her uncle Amandeep Singh (39) whom have not been found.
Investigators continue to follow up on all leads and are working diligently to find the family. We continue to ask for the public’s help with any information that may assist us in locating the family’s whereabouts. If you have any information regarding this incident or the whereabouts of the victims, please call our tip line at 209.385.7547. The tip can be confidential.
The Sheriff’s Office will be holding a Press Conference on October 5, 2022 at 10:00AM at the Merced County Board Chambers located on the 3rd floor of the Merced County Build at 2222 “M” Street, Merced, Ca 95340. Due to limited space we are asking that all media personnel have media credentials with them.
October 4 KIDNAPPING UPDATE!
On October 3rd, 2022, at approximately 11:39 am, CAL FIRE Madera-Mariposa-Merced was dispatched to Buhach Road and Oakdale Road in Winton for a report of a vehicle on fire. The vehicle was later identified to be a black 2020 Dodge Ram truck. The CHP – Merced arrived on scene to start the investigation.
At approximately 12:35 pm, California Highway Patrol requested the assistance of Merced Police Department in an attempt to contact the registered owner of the vehicle, Amandeep Singh. When the Merced Police Department arrived at the residence, they were not able to make contact with Amandeep however, they were able to reach another family member.
The family members attempted to contact Jasleen Kaur, Jasdeep Singh, and Amandeep Singh. When they were not able to reach their family members, they called the Merced County Sheriff’s Office to report Jasleen, Jasdeep, Amandeep, and 8-month-old, Aroohi missing.
At approximately 1:04 pm, our Office was notified and responded to a business on South Highway 59. During the primary investigation, Detectives determined that the individuals were kidnapped.
We are working with the California Department of Justice, the Federal Bureau of Investigations and other local law enforcement agencies to bring this family home safely.
If you have any information regarding this incident or the whereabouts of this family, please call our tip line at 209.385.7547. Your tip can be confidential
