LAPD Rescues Smuggled Aliens Victims of Kidnap

 
Hollenbeck: On Thursday, August 16, 2001, at 10:15 P.M., Hollenbeck Patrol Officers responded to a radio call of a possible kidnap at 3700 block of North Mission Road. The victim, an undocumented alien smuggled into the United States from Honduras, reported that he had been kidnapped and was being held hostage for $1,800.00.
Responding officers located the victim along with two additional smuggled aliens without incident. Robbery-Homicide Division responded and assumed responsibility for the investigation.
The investigation revealed that prior to the officers’ arrival, the suspect (smuggler/coyote) had called the victim’s relatives in the Rampart area of Los Angeles to arrange for the exchange of the victim for $1,800.00. The suspect made threats to the victim’s family stating that, if the ransom was not paid, the victim would be killed. After some negotiations the victim’s family agreed to meet the suspect at 3rd and Normandie (Wilshire Area) for the exchange.
The suspect arrived with the victim and was met by a female Hispanic who directed the suspect to park at a designated location. Simultaneously a male Hispanic approached the driver’s side of the vehicle and opened fire into the vehicle, striking the suspect in the arm. The suspect sped away with the victim still in his car, and returned to his residence. The victim was left at the resident with the other two undocumented aliens and a friend of the suspects. The suspect was driven to County USC Medical Center where he was treated for a non-life threatening gunshot would to the left biceps area. The suspect identified as Adrian Albert Orellana, 32 years old, was booked for kidnapping at USC Jail Ward. Bail was set at $500,000.00.
The smuggled aliens and the victim were released to the Immigration and Naturalization Service for further investigation.
Robbery-Homicide Division, is investigating the assault with a deadly weapon/attempt murder on the suspect.
This information was provided by Lt. J. Grayson, Officer-In-Charge, Robbery-Homicide Division, Robbery Special Section.
This press release was prepared by Public Information Officer Eduardo Funes, Media Relations Section, 213-485-3586.