Three Robbers Arrested, Other Suspects And Victims Sought

July 25, 2007 - Investigators in the Houston Police Department Robbery Division believe three suspects arrested and charged for kidnapping and robbing at least one man have likely taken advantage of others who have failed to report similar crimes.

Identities of at least four other wanted suspects are being sought.

The suspects in custody are identified as Ricardo Patino (H/m, DOB 4-3-83), Jose Alberto Martinez (H/m, DOB 4-17-88) and Elionay Pena (H/m, DOB 8-9-59). Each is charged with one count of aggravated kidnapping and one count of aggravated robbery with a deadly weapon in the 178th State District Court.

HPD Robbery Division Officer D. Gonzales of the Latino Squad reported:

On July 3, a male victim, 34, was waiting at a bus stop near South Gessner and the Katy Freeway service road when he was approached by four Hispanic male suspects who forced him into a truck at gunpoint. The victim noticed another victim already in the truck. The two victims were driven to a house at 8016 John Street. There were more victims being held captive at the residence by three male suspects (Patino, Martinez and Pena). The suspects demanded contact phone numbers of the victims’ relatives and money for their releases. Prior to their releases on July 6, the victims were threatened not to call police. One male victim remained in captivity at the home and convinced the three suspects guarding the home that he had to pick up a paycheck owed to him by his employer in the 20000 block of the Katy Freeway. The suspects agreed to drive the victim to the business, a restaurant, and waited outside while the victim entered the business. Once inside, the victim advised the manager what was going on and the manager contacted police. Responding officers arrested the three suspects without incident.

Robbery investigators believe the suspects victimized other Spanish-speaking residents who have not reported the crimes to police. Those victims are urged to contact the HPD Robbery Division Latino Squad at 713-308-0700.

Anyone with information on the four wanted suspects is urged to contact the HPD Robbery Division or Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS.

JFC/VHS 7-25-07

For additional information, please contact the HPD Public Affairs Division at 713-308-3200.