Kidnapped teen's family speaks out about abduction
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Las Vegas, NV (KTNV)- A scary 24 hours for a Henderson teen abducted from her own home. What family is telling us about their nightmarish ordeal. She is resting up, but surprisingly her family is celebrating. All of her aunts and uncles came to see h Video by ktnv.com
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Melissa Duran being reunited with her family.
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Las Vegas, NV (KTNV) -- It was a scary 24 hours for a Henderson teen abducted from her own home.
Her family spoke with Action News about the nightmarish ordeal. She is resting up, but surprisingly, her family is celebrating. All of her aunts and uncles came to see her as well as friends.
The family said Friday night they said prayers for Melissa Duran. Now they're saying prayers of gratitude.
It was all hugs and kisses for Melissa Saturday morning as police dropped her off to her family around 7 a.m.
"We're all real happy that she's home now. We're blessed that she made it out OK," said family member Ana Arias.
Police said Melissa was kidnapped from her Henderson home Friday morning by two men. A neighbors surveillance camera caught the red getaway car with a blue front end. The only time the family heard anything about Melissa is when they got a ransom call. Working leads tirelessly detectives were able to locate that car hours after the abduction.
"The suspects had tried to destroy the getaway car by setting it on fire near Sunrise Mountain, but Henderson police detectives were able to link it back to the apartments on Flower Avenue," said Chief Patrick Moers with the Henderson Police Department.
Saturday around 4:20 a.m. SWAT teams and Henderson Police found both suspects in two different apartments, and Melissa tied up and blind folded alone in the bathroom of a third unit. She was scared, but not physically hurt.
"I've seen them before, but I didn't see the girl," said Michael Garcia who lives in the same complex as the two suspects.
Neighbors recognized the two men, and even mentioned seeing the red car.
"They're hard working guys. I know that. I've seen them before at working places, but they don't look like kidnappers to me," said Garcia.
Family members said 25-year-old Alejandro Manuel Sanchez-Sanchez and 30-year-old Cesar Sanchez of Las Vegas both worked for Melissa's dad's landscaping business at one time; before they were laid off.
For now, the Duran household is enjoying having their daughter back in their arms.
"She's happy. She's very happy. She's all smiles right now," said Arias.
Both suspects are booked into the Henderson Detention Center without bail. They face charges of kidnapping and extortion. Police say they are still investigating and there could be more arrests coming.
The Duran family wants to thank police and all of our viewers who sent prayers out on their behalf.
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