GARNER, N.C. (WNCN) — Two suspects were arrested Tuesday in the armed kidnapping of a mother and baby daughter from their Garner home the previous day, while a third suspect remains at large, law enforcement said.
According to the Garner Police Department, officers responded to a reported kidnapping just before 10:55 p.m. Monday at a home in the 500 block of Buck Branch Drive.
The officers were told two men and a woman wearing masks and armed with guns broke into the home, demanding $1 million. When the husband refused, the suspects grabbed his 11-month-old daughter and wife after restraining him with duct tape, according to Garner police.
Police said the suspects fled with the mom and girl in a black Nissan Altima.
According to Garner police, officers contacted the FBI and the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation to assist in the search for the victims. An Amber Alert was also issued.
Shortly after 7 a.m., according to Garner police, a Wake Forest resident reported that a woman with a baby came to her home seeking help. The Wake County Sheriff’s Office responded and confirmed the identities of the kidnapped mother and her daughter. Both were unharmed and willingly released by the suspects without a ransom being paid.
That same day, Garner police said they arrested 25-year-old Paola Duran Duran and 23-year-old Miguel Angel Duran Duran, both of Raleigh, in connection with the incident. Both are charged with two counts of first-degree kidnapping and a count of second-degree kidnapping.
According to Garner police, the two suspects are siblings.
The FBI identified the third suspect as 37-year-old Eleodoro “Leo” Estrada-Hernandez. He is charged with two counts of first-degree kidnapping, one count of second-degree kidnapping, one count of possession of a firearm by a felon, and two counts assault by pointing a firearm.
As of Wednesday afternoon, Hernandez is at large.
Hernandez is described as standing 5’4″ and weighing 190 lbs. with black hair and brown eyes. He has multiple tattoos on his forearm. During the incident, he was believed to be wearing a red T-shirt and blue jeans, according to the FBI.
The FBI, the Garner Police Department, and the NCSBI are currently searching for Hernandez. Anyone who sees Hernandez is asked to call 911.
Those with information that may lead law enforcement to Hernandez is asked to contact Garner Police Crime Stoppers at 919-834-4357. The FBI may also be contacted by calling 1-800-225-5324 or submitting an online tip.
A $10,000 reward is being offered for information that leads to Hernandez’s arrest.
Officials said the Duran Durans are in the U.S. illegally with ICE holds. They were denied bond at the first appearance in Wake County Court Wednesday.
“The defendant is not a U.S. citizen,” a prosecutor said. “We’re concerned about flight.”
The Duran Durans are scheduled to make their next court appearance on May 21.
Wake County District Attorney Lorrin Freeman said the case is far from over.
“We’re very grateful the victims have been recovered in this case and [law enforcement is] going to do everything they can to make sure that the individuals responsible for it are brought to justice,” Freeman said.
“We’re fortunate here in Wake County to live in a community where random violence like this is extremely rare,” she continued. “It’ll be during the next few weeks and months as this investigation proceeds we’re able to determine if there was there any specific targeting of these individuals.”
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