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Robbery/kidnapping children returned, mother later arrested
Update 08-18-2009
The mother of the two children, 20 year old Marisa Sandoval, has been arrested by investigators. Based on evidence at the kidnapping scene, a search warrant was served at the 28th Drive address.
Investigators state several pounds of methamphetamine were seized as well as drug paraphernalia. Ms. Sandoval will be booked into jail for possession of dangerous drugs for sale.
The children are with the family and investigators have made a referral to CPS.
Original Story
At 1:30 a.m., Tuesday, August 18, 2009 Phoenix police responded to a home invasion call near 28th Drive just north of Indian School Road where a woman stated that four suspects, armed with guns, had broken into her home and demanded money. When she told the men that she did not have any money, they kidnapped her son and daughter, ages two and 11 months, and left in a white 1990’s Honda or Toyota vehicle. A witness mentioned a suspicious vehicle driving in the alley behind the woman’s home at approximately the same time as the crime; it was described as a white Chevy Silverado pickup truck with a Cadillac emblem on the front grill.
Just after 6:00 a.m., a 9-1-1 call was received by Phoenix police from a residence in the area of 1st Avenue and Beverly. The residents had heard screaming outside their door and when they checked on the commotion, they found the two children who had been kidnapped sitting in their front yard, crying. Phoenix officers and firefighters responded and cared for the children at the scene and quickly transported them to police headquarters where they were reunited with their mother and family. The children had not been harmed.
Police are investigating the crimes that occurred. The motive appears to have been robbery. The public is being asked to assist with any information that may lead police to the identity of the suspects. Call Silent Witness at 480-WITNESS; for Spanish call 480-TESTIGO.