Scared Monkeys Discussion Forum

SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. —  A 3-year-old boy was kidnapped by two gunmen who broke into his family's home, tied up his mother and her five children, robbed the house and left with the child, authorities said.

The California Highway Patrol issued an Amber Alert late Sunday for 3-year-old Briant Rodriguez, about nine hours after he was taken from his San Bernardino home.

The men, each carrying a handgun, burst through the front door of the home, tied up the family, then ransacked the house and stole money and property, said Cindy Beavers, spokeswoman for the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department.

The men then left with Briant and told the still-bound mother and four other children not to call police.

One of the children freed himself then untied the rest of the family, Beavers said. Beavers did not know the ages of the rest of the children but said she believed Briant was the youngest.

The mother told investigators she did not know the two Hispanic men, one estimated to be 18 years old, the other 24.

"We have no idea why they took the child," Beavers said. "They were strangers to the whole family."

No witnesses saw the men's vehicle.

Briant is a Hispanic boy 3 feet tall and weighs 40 pounds, with brown eyes and long, curly brown hair. He was wearing a yellow shirt, blue-striped shorts and black sandals when he was taken.

San Bernardino is about 60 miles east of downtown Los Angeles.
Edit to add link:  http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,518779,00.html

thanks Jess...
why did it take 9 hours for the amber alert, anyone know?
darling little child...hope that he is ok...

(http://www.foxnews.com/images/530919/2_61_050409_AbductedBoy.jpg)


SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. —  A 3-year-old boy was kidnapped by two gunmen who broke into his family's home, tied up his mother and her five children, robbed the house and left with the child, authorities said.

The California Highway Patrol issued an Amber Alert late Sunday for 3-year-old Briant Rodriguez, about nine hours after he was taken from his San Bernardino home.

The men, each carrying a handgun, burst through the front door of the home, tied up the family, then ransacked the house and stole money and property, said Cindy Beavers, spokeswoman for the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department.

The men then left with Briant and told the still-bound mother and four other children not to call police.

One of the children freed himself then untied the rest of the family, Beavers said. Beavers did not know the ages of the rest of the children but said she believed Briant was the youngest.

The mother told investigators she did not know the two Hispanic men, one estimated to be 18 years old, the other 24.

"We have no idea why they took the child," Beavers said. "They were strangers to the whole family."

No witnesses saw the men's vehicle.

Briant is a Hispanic boy 3 feet tall and weighs 40 pounds, with brown eyes and long, curly brown hair. He was wearing a yellow shirt, blue-striped shorts and black sandals when he was taken.

San Bernardino is about 60 miles east of downtown Los Angeles.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,518779,00.html

They have extreme evil intensions for the boy. mo.

This is in the same area of Amber Dubois and April Pitzer..

There are many unsolved missing persons cases in this area..

http://www.sbcounty.gov/sheriff/coldcases/coldcase.asp

They just did an amber alert on the tv news here. 9 hours is a long time, I wonder how long the family was tied up? This isn't good, the mom didn't know the men, no one knows what kind of car or where it went?
Why take the boy? I wonder who the father is?

http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/index
There is a story on the video links to this. This apparently happened yesterday at 2:30 in the afternoon! The neighbor who the mom ran to after being freed, said the men told the mom they were taking the boy to mexico and will kill him? WTH???

(http://imgs.sfgate.com/c/pictures/2009/05/04/ba-abducted_boy_0500104179.jpg)

Father was at work when this happened..  ::MonkeyEek::

Mom was told that they WOULD take the boy to Mexico and KILL him..
Unfortunately, I am sure there is other intentions..

The boarder guard was put on high alert..Which means very little..mo.
The F.B.I. is now involved which means very little..mo.

"It's horrifying," sheriff's Lt. Rick Ells said. "I don't think I could impress on you how rare a kidnapping like this is."
Not true..Home invasions and kidnappings ? It happens every day in Mexico and is happening more frequently inside the united states.. MANY cases of this last year..
For him to make a statement like that shows pure ignorance..

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2009/05/04/state/n000759D60.DTL

This is a case of revenge.. mo.

I agree with you Edward.  This is a case of revenge.   ::MonkeyNoNo::

always the innocent who pay for the sins of others...
what a darling child....

This is sad.  When I first saw the picture, I thought this was a little girl.  I wonder if the
kidnappers did also.

Thanks for getting this information here for us.

yes...he could be mistaken for a female with his long hair...

I wonder if it was drug related? There is not much information about this. i don't know why one day after this is being reported. Nothing about this yesterday. He could be anywhere in the world right now. I pray he is ok and will be dropped off somewhere. He is only 3 years old.....

truly heartbreaking...
I hope that he is ok...
Nothing hardly on the news...why???

Nancy Grace - CNN Headline News - covered the case as did Greta on FoxNews. 

Mom told police that men were young (18 and 24) Hispanic males, thin, armed with handguns...men that she did not know.  The men bound the family with red duct tape (?) and the 8 year old wiggled out and freed the rest of the family. The men took a cell phone and some money from the Mom's jacket....and the child. 

The men told the Mom that they were taking the child to Mexico and would kill him.

When asked about the father and his job, the local reporter said that she did not know.  The father spent most of the day on the back porch with his head in his hands.  This child is the only biological child of the father.

Marc Klaas says its time to stop waiting for an Amber Alert....this time because there was no description of a car.  A 3 year old needs help immediately.....9 hours is way too long.

Perhaps there will be a transcript of the show later in the morning.  Best I could do while listening to Nancy fuss at her guests.... :roll:

Makes ya wonder why these people on her show let her get away with speaking to them the way that they do...she is so nasty to most of them imo....

I agree with Marc....why the 9 hr wait? they don't have a car description but they certainly do have the child's description...start with that.... ::MonkeyNoNo::

Something isn't right with this case.  I don't know if his family is involved with drugs or what, but something isn't right.  Also, why is Briant's hair so long when his brothers hair is cut short?  Very strange to me the hair:

(http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o100/klaasen3/Sub6_022109/briant-rodriguez-photos-2-257x300.jpg)

8yr old brother Raul

(http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o100/klaasen3/Sub6_022109/Raul.jpg)

http://cbs2.com/local/home.invasion.kidnap.2.1001393.html

May 5, 2009 1:43 am US/Pacific
Officials Continue To Search For Abducted Boy, 3
Authorities Along The U.S.-Mexico Border Have Been Put On AlertSAN
BERNARDINO, Calif. (AP) ― 

Authorities along the U.S.-Mexico border have been put on alert for any sign of a 3-year-old San Bernardino boy who was reported snatched at gunpoint from his family's home.

Officials are searching for Briant Rodriguez, who was abducted by two gunmen.

Sheriff's officials say two gunmen burst through the front door of the family's home about 2:30 Sunday afternoon and tied up the boy, his four siblings and their mother.

They then ransacked the house and stole money and other property and left with the boy.

No witnesses saw the men's vehicle.

After about 20 minutes, the men left with Briant, telling the still-bound mother and the other children not to call police, the department said in a statement.

"It's horrifying," sheriff's Lt. Rick Ells said. "I don't think I could impress on you how rare a kidnapping like this is."

One of the children, an 8-year-old boy, wiggled free from his ties and freed the rest of the family, sheriff's spokeswoman Cindy Beavers said. Briant is the youngest sibling and the others range in age to 16.

The boy's father was at work at the time and the initial investigation pointed to the kidnappers being strangers to the family, Ells said.

(snipped)

I agree with Klaas.  ::MonkeyEek::

me too...

something is not setting right with me...

also, is that a gun that the Briant is holding in the above photo? I realize that it is a toy if it is one...

do kids play with toy guns anymore? I really don't see that many kids playing with them nor do I notice them in stores like when my kids were younger...

Hello Monkeys

Anyone else get any new news on Briant this morning?
All I got was the samething that has been being reported.
God Bless this little guy I hope he is found soon I bet he is so scared

Monkey hugs

Armed Robbers Threatened To Kill Abducted Boy, 3SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. (AP) ― 
 Briant Rodriguez, 3, was taken from his home in San Bernardino Sunday.
CBS/CBS  UPDATED May 5, 2009 8:54 am US/Pacific

Federal and local authorities Tuesday continued their search for a 3-year-old boy who was snatched from his home by armed robbers who threatened to kill him.

The gunmen burst through the family's front door Sunday and tied up 3-year-old Briant Rodriguez, four of his siblings and their mother, Maria Rosalina Millan. They then ransacked the house, stealing money and other property, the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department said.

After about 20 minutes, the men left with Briant, ordering his mother and the other children not to call police, the department said in a statement.

"They grabbed my kid, told me 'I'm going to take the kid to Mexico and I'm going to kill him,"' the distraught Millan said in Spanish to reporters gathered in her front yard Monday night. "I said 'Why? Don't take my kid,' and he told me to 'turn around, I'm going to shoot you. Stop talking."'

The motive for the abduction was unknown.

"There has been no demand for ransom, there has been no contact with the family," sheriff's spokeswoman Jodi Miller said Monday.

Miller said authorities along the Mexican border had been put on alert, and FBI investigators were helping in the investigation.

"It's horrifying," sheriff's Lt. Rick Ells said. "I don't think I could impress on you how rare a kidnapping like this is."

Briant's older brother said the men tried to steal the family car.

"Our keys were inside our car, cause we were about to leave," 14-year-old Benjamin Barasa said. "So they couldn't find them, so they got mad. They took my little brother. He didn't know what was happening, so he wasn't crying."

One of the children -- an 8-year-old boy -- wiggled free from his ties and freed the rest of the family, authorities said.

Briant is the youngest of Millan's seven children.

Her 16-year-old son was not home and another child, who is of adult-age, does not live at home.

The boy's father was at work at the time and the initial investigation pointed to the kidnappers being strangers to the family, Ells said.

The gunmen stole Millan's cell phone,  so she had to make the emergency call from a nearby liquor store, Ells said.

No witnesses saw the men's vehicle.

The family lives in a single-story home in a mainly lower-income area abutting the city of San Bernardino, about 60 miles east of Los Angeles.

Anyone with information about the case was urged to contact Sergeant Doug Hubbard or Detective Jon Minard with the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department at (909) 387-3589.
(© 2009 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)




MODS...I hope I copied and pasted this correctly from CBS2 website.  If I did something wrong, please delete, correct or do whatever you have to do and accept my aplogy in advance :)

Can't the FBI track the pings of the cell phone? 

They tried to steal the car?  Wow, I hadn't heard that on the local reports.  So, the 3 yr old. didn't know what was happening, but the men were angry, had guns & were tying up the family and he wasn't crying?  That seems very odd... I have a 3yr old boy and I know he would be freaked out.

Even though something is very fishy about about this (imo), my thoughts prayers are with this adorable boy and his family!! 

Thanks so much for posting the above.
I didn't hear either that they tried to steal the car.
I so wish they are pinging the cell phone.
I hope this little guy will be found safe he is a little cutie pie.
It just seems odd that no one saw anything I would think that someone in the house screamed when they first came in the door.
So many things floating in my mind.

Monkey hugs

LOL I'm the only one in here  ::MonkeyHaHa::

I'm thinking something is not right with this case.
I was thinking maybe this was a rural area and not many house near by.
But there is a school across the street from this house so it should be a neighborhood right?
Other houses near and it being mid day then I would think that other family's were out and about kids playing, parents mowing lawn, washing car,

Monkey hugs

yes, someone had to have seen something you would think!

http://www.pe.com/localnews/inland/stories/PE_News_Local_S_kidnap05.41ebc58.html

Motive unclear in San Bernardino boy's kidnapping, authorities say   
Note:  Click on the above link for story and photos


http://www.pe.com/localnews/inland/stories/PE_News_Local_S_webkidnap05.1190b27.html

Motive unclear in boy's abduction
   Download story podcast



10:00 PM PDT on Tuesday, May 5, 2009


Nearly two days after two armed robbers kidnapped a 3-year-old boy from his San Bernardino home, little Briant Rodriguez remains missing and the question remains: Why was he abducted?

"No demand (has been made) for anything in exchange for Briant," San Bernardino County sheriff's spokeswoman Cindy Beavers said about 7:30 am. "They have not been able to determine a motive."

At 10 a.m., Briant's mom is scheduled to visit sheriff's headquarters to help detectives assemble a composite drawing of her son, Beavers said.

Cash and undisclosed property were taken during the 2:30 a.m. home invasion robbery Monday along the 8000 block of Pedley Road, just northwest of San Bernardino International Airport.

The gunmen tied up the woman and her children, then took Briant with them as they fled, warning his mom not to call police. FBI agents are assisting in the investigation.

--Richard Brooks

rbrooks@PE.com

ITA... someone would have heard or seen something.  These kidnappers were said to be very angry, which translates to me a lot of yelling and screaming and a lot of commotion (sp?).  I can't help it, but something does not add up.  Why take the boy??  I just don't get it!!

were these robbers Hispanic as well as the family? did they speak to the mother in English or Spanish? just seems odd that they would specifically mention that they were taking the boy to Mexico and that they were going to kill him...why would they say where they would be headed with the boy? and the child was not crying per one of his brothers...I would think that he would be crying a lot and that he would have understood the words that the robbers were saying? would be frightened?

I'm going to put this out there and see what everyones thoughts are

What if something happened to Briant and mother or dad hid him and the cell phone got lost while they where doing the hiding.
So that is why she had to say they took her cell phone.
But if something like this happened then the kids would have to know about it right? Because mother or dad taped them up.

Wonder what time dad went to work?

Please forgive me if I'm way out there with this post I just have so many thoughts and want to see if anyone else has the same.

God Bless Briant and his family I don't mean any disrespect
I'm just wondering


Monkey hugs

Cookie I have read that they both are hispanic but have not read or heard if they spoke English or Spanish. Seems like a strange commit to make that they are going to kill him. I would think they would have said we are taking him and if you call LE then we will kill him. Maybe she didn't understand what they said if they spoke in English

I was hoping there would be something more. I read in the local comments on the sun times site it is an area riddled with drugs. Could be.

Why a cell phone and money? Seems like there is a payback for unpaid drug deals to me.

I don't understand what was said about the father and who said it,
sits on the porch with his head in his hands??? What does that mean. 

Tracygirl could you post the link you are reading pretty please

Monkey hugs

http://www.pe.com/localnews/inland/stories/PE_News_Local_S_kidnap05.41ebc58.html

Note....if you click link above, there are many pictures with additional information....


Motive unclear in San Bernardino boy's kidnapping, authorities say


 
   Download story podcast



10:04 PM PDT on Monday, May 4, 2009

By IMRAN GHORI
The Press-Enterprise

   

Photo Gallery: Abduction in San Bernardino

PDF: View the sheriff's flier about a boy kidnapped Sunday in San Bernardino

The mother of a 3-year-old boy kidnapped Sunday afternoon in south San Bernardino said tearfully Monday that she has no idea why her son was snatched by two gunmen.

"She just wants her baby back," said Nancy Vargas, a family friend who translated Rosa Millana's words from Spanish to English.

Authorities said Monday they had few leads. The kidnappers have not been heard from and the family could not provide a description of their vehicle.

Millana said she was getting ready to take five of her six children on an outing to a local park about 2:30 p.m. Sunday when two men armed with handguns burst into the small single-family home in the 8000 block of Pedley Road.

"They told her it was a stick-up," Vargas said.

The men ordered Millana and the children to lie on the floor while they searched the living room and the rest of the house, Vargas said. The father was at work at the time.

Story continues below
 
Stan Lim / The Press-Enterprise
News crews survey the Pedley Road home of Rosa Millana, foreground, whose 3-year-old son was kidnapped during a home invasion Sunday.
Using red tape, the men tied up Millana and her children, except for 3-year-old Briant Rodriguez.

Vargas said one of the men "told them he was taking the baby to Mexico and going to kill him."

Speaking to reporters from behind a wire fence in her backyard, with her friend Vargas next to her, Millana fought back tears between words and at times sobbed. At one point, she walked away from reporters and leaned on a car parked in the backyard.

She said she doesn't know why her house was targeted.

"They don't know these people. They've never seen them before," Vargas said.

The toddler was confused but not distraught, she said.

"He wasn't crying," Vargas said. "He didn't know what was going on."

It is unclear why the house, northwest of San Bernardino International Airport on the former Norton Air Force Base, was targeted, San Bernardino County sheriff's Lt. Rick Ells said.

"It's really puzzling," Ells said. "It's not an area you would consider affluent by any means."

Though the aging neighborhood has a worn appearance, the white-painted house with brown trim has a green lawn and a row of pink and red roses in bloom. The family lives across the street from Monterey Elementary School.

Story continues below
 
Cindy Greenleaf, 60, who lives in the area, said gang activity, shootings, rapes and drug abuse are common in the neighborhood.

"It's all over the place," she said.

But her thoughts mostly were on the missing boy.

"I just hope and pray they find him," she said.

The Sheriff's Department issued a statewide Amber Alert and has been joined by FBI agents in hunting for the gunmen.

A small amount of cash and some personal belongings were taken by the two men, Ells said. The door of the house was either unlocked or ajar when they entered and the men were in the house 15 to 20 minutes, he said.

During the robbery, one of the men was talking to someone on a walkie-talkie or radio, Vargas said. Millana suspected there was a man outside, but she never saw a car.

After the men left, an 8-year-old boy escaped from the tape and ran toward the door to look for his brother, Vargas said. His mother told him to stay down.

He then helped untie the rest of the family.

The family called 911 from a nearby liquor store, Ells said.

Story continues below
 
Millana's 14-year-old son, Benjamin Barasa, said he was very frightened during the robbery.

"My heart was pounding hard," Benjamin said.

He said Briant loves Spiderman and SpongeBob SquarePants, which the two had watched earlier Sunday.

Ells said the mother's full name is Maria Rosalina Millana. He did not know her age.

The boy's father, Raul Rodriguez, declined to comment Monday and sat in his backyard with his head down. He was at work as landscaper in Mentone during the crime, sheriff's spokeswoman Jodi Miller said.

"I don't think I could impress on you how rare a kidnapping like this is," Ells said.

Though an Amber Alert has been issued for the missing boy, it hasn't been flashed on freeway signs because investigators have no description of a getaway vehicle, Miller said.

The Border Patrol has been alerted in case the men try to cross into Mexico, she said.

Jeff Smith, a 30-year resident of the neighborhood and next-door neighbor to the family, said he didn't know them well but expressed concern for them.

"I know (that) the parents of that kid, they're both heartbroken," he said.

Staff writer Richard Brooks and David Olson contributed to this report.

Reach Imran Ghori 368-9558 or ighori@PE.com

TODDLER TAKEN

Briant Rodriguez, 3, was kidnapped from his San Bernardino home on Sunday, San Bernardino County sheriff's deputies said.

The toddler: 3 feet tall, 40 pounds, long curly brown hair and brown eyes, wearing a yellow shirt with blue sleeves, blue striped shorts and black sandals.

The suspects: Two skinny, light-skinned Hispanic males. One is about 18, 5-feet-8-inches tall, wearing a black cap, blue jeans and a green T-shirt. The other is about 24 years old, 5-feet-10-inches tall and was wearing a black shirt, black pants, black boots and white bandana.

Whom to call: San Bernardino County sheriff's Sgt. Doug Hubbard or Detective Jon Minard at 909-387-3589.

snip
At 10 a.m., Briant's mom is scheduled to visit sheriff's headquarters to help detectives assemble a composite drawing of her son, Beavers said. snip
------------------------------------------

Maybe I missed something? Why would the mother need to assist in making the composite drawing? We've seen several photographs of him.

I think they mean a composite sketch of the kidnappers.

You are correct.....perhaps they mean drawings of the suspects??

 ::MonkeyLaugh::

Why didn't I think of that?!!  Thanks guys.

Hi Toler!!! so good to see you!!!

does any poster think that one of the older sons could be affiliated with a gang and this is some sortof gang revenge thing? it is too odd that this is a random house that these guys picked..something is up for sure in my opinion..
hope the little one is ok..

Stacy it was from a post on here.

O/T  listening to NG now...a 3 yr old toddler wandered away from his home...dressed only in a diaper went missing Monday morning! a tennis shoe of his has been found about a mile from his home...
Good Lord!
the mom was on the phone, dad was asleep as he works the night shift...Joshua disappeared within 5 minutes...

During the robbery, one of the men was talking to someone on a walkie-talkie or radio, Vargas said.

A Nextel digital hand held.. I believe THIS can be tracked.

IF it is a motorola CB Radio..
This is used by drug dealers inside of Mexico to communicate with each other.
There was so much of this going on that the Mexican government made the use of CB Radios illegal.. But of course drug dealers could care less about Any Laws..

Dad holding his head... Is he from Mexico ? A gang in Mexico would request a hit and ANY gand members could respond..When they bring the boy to the gang, the boy will be sold or murdered.. and the people that made the hit will be compinsated... Or shot  ::MonkeyWink:: Drugs are a dangerous business..

talking about Briant now on NG....

has anyone seen the father's face? both times that I have seen him, he has his face covered (crying) with his hands and his hat brim covering his entire face....
talking heads don't believe that this is random in going to this home..

The scetches shown on NG they look like brothers. I hope someone see's them and can say who they are.

God Bless Briant

yes Stacey! I thought the exact same thing! someone should be able to recognize them, but will they be too afraid to come forward? 

No ransom demand, no motive in Calif. abduction
May 5, 9:09 PM EDT
SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. (AP) -- Investigators trying to find a 3-year-old kidnap victim, snatched from his home by armed robbers who threatened to kill him, have received dozens of tips but no solid leads, officials said Tuesday.
There was no ransom demand 48 hours after the abduction, and San Bernardino County sheriff's Lt. Rick Ells said detectives were worried that news vans outside the home could be deterring the kidnappers from making contact.
"Every minute, every second that passes, is critical," Sgt. Doug Hubbard said at a news conference. "But we are remaining positive and investigating it as if we just went on scene."
Two gunmen burst through the family's front door Sunday and tied up 3-year-old Briant Rodriguez, four of his siblings and their mother, Maria Rosalina Millan, then ransacked the house, stealing money and other property, the Sheriff's Department said.
After about 20 minutes, the men left with Briant, ordering his mother and the other children not to call police, the department said in a statement.
"They grabbed my kid, told me `I'm going to take the kid to Mexico and I'm going to kill him,'" the distraught Millan said in Spanish to reporters gathered in her front yard Monday night. "I said `Why? Don't take my kid,' and he told me to `turn around, I'm going to shoot you. Stop talking.'"
No motive had been established and federal and local investigators were looking at several theories, including that the Spanish-speaking kidnappers were from SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. (AP) -- Investigators trying to find a 3-year-old kidnap victim, snatched from his home by armed robbers who threatened to kill him, have received dozens of tips but no solid leads, officials said Tuesday.
There was no ransom demand 48 hours after the abduction, and San Bernardino County sheriff's Lt. Rick Ells said detectives were worried that news vans outside the home could be deterring the kidnappers from making contact.
"Every minute, every second that passes, is critical," Sgt. Doug Hubbard said at a news conference. "But we are remaining positive and investigating it as if we just went on scene."
Two gunmen burst through the family's front door Sunday and tied up 3-year-old Briant Rodriguez, four of his siblings and their mother, Maria Rosalina Millan, then ransacked the house, stealing money and other property, the Sheriff's Department said.
After about 20 minutes, the men left with Briant, ordering his mother and the other children not to call police, the department said in a statement.
"They grabbed my kid, told me `I'm going to take the kid to Mexico and I'm going to kill him,'" the distraught Millan said in Spanish to reporters gathered in her front yard Monday night. "I said `Why? Don't take my kid,' and he told me to `turn around, I'm going to shoot you. Stop talking.'"
No motive had been established and federal and local investigators were looking at several theories, including that the Spanish-speaking kidnappers were from Mexico and may have had ties to organized crime there.
Authorities along the Mexican border were put on alert and FBI agents were helping in the investigation.
Sheriff's spokeswoman Cindy Beavers said investigators were considering all possibilities but had no substantial leads.
"They've been looking at many, many avenues," she said.
Briant's older brother said the men tried to steal the family car but got mad when they couldn't find the keys.
"They took my little brother. He didn't know what was happening so he wasn't crying," 14-year-old Benjamin Barasa told KNBC-TV.
One of the children - an 8-year-old boy - wiggled free from his ties and freed the rest of the family, authorities said. Briant is the youngest of Millan's seven children. Her 16-year-old son was not home and an adult child does not live at home.
The boy's father was at work at the time and the initial investigation pointed to the kidnappers being strangers to the family, Ells said. The gunmen stole Millan's cell phone, so she had to make the emergency call from a nearby liquor store, Ells said.
The California Highway Patrol didn't issue an Amber Alert for Briant until about nine hours after the family called San Bernardino County authorities. According to the CHP Web site, one requirement for activating an Amber Alert is that information be available that could assist in a child's safe recovery. In this case, however, police said they had no witness descriptions of the abductors' vehicle that could be posted on highway information signs to help locate the suspects.
CHP Officer Daniel Hesser in San Bernardino said the agency received the request for an Amber Alert about 7 1/2 hours after the kidnapping.
The family lives in a modest, single-story home in a mainly lower-income area abutting the city of San Bernardino, about 60 miles east of Los Angeles.
http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_ABDUCTED_BOY?SITE=FLTAM&SECTION=US

(http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o100/klaasen3/Sub6_022109/SketchKidnappers.jpg)

Klaas, thanks for posting that.  I was just looking for it this morning.  Also, I heard on the news this morning that home videos of the little boy were just released.  I can't find a link to them--if I find it, I'll post.  Unless someone else beats me to the punch . . .

They just said on Foxnews that investigators are working a promising lead.  They do think this is connected to the Mexican drug cartels.

Just on Fox:

The police have a promising lead right now that they will NOT expand upon right now.

The reporter also said the police said although they believe the parents are not involved in his disappearance, they haven't been forthcoming as the police would like them to be regarding their backgrounds and their ties to Mexico. (whatever that means)

Did you hear drugs klaas? I didn't hear drugs mentioned. Just not forthcoming and honest about their backgrounds and their ties to Mexico.

Although drugs would make sense.

I could have missed the drugs. I was listening and working on a spreadsheet... lol

National child abduction organizations have stepped in to help sheriff's and FBI investigators working around the clock in search of a missing 3-year-old San Bernardino boy, sheriff's officials said today.

The Polly Klaas Foundation and America's Most Wanted have both gathered information on the case and have posted information on their websites.

Images of Briant Rodriguez have also been appearing on electronic billboards in Tijuana, Mexico every 10 minutes, said San Bernardino County sheriff's spokeswoman Jodi Miller.

It has been three days since two gunman entered the child's home in the 8000 block of Pedley Road, tied up his mother and four siblings and ransacked the residence. They took a small amount of money, a cell phone and Briant. The boy's mother said the gunmen told her they planned to take the child to Mexico and kill him. A sheriff's sketch artist worked with Briant's mother several hours Tuesday to create composite sketches of the kidnappers.

Sheriff's investigators have been working on the case 24 hours a day, following up on dozens of tips received through an Amber Alert hotline.

"It's as intense an investigation as it was the day it started," Miller said.

Anyone with information on Briant's whereabouts may call (866) 346-7632 or (909) 387-3589.

http://**/breakingnews/ci_12307188

It means a lot..

Investigators are baffled by the kidnapping, which occurred during a home invasion robbery in San Bernardino. The kidnappers have not been heard from, authorities say.
By David Kelly
May 6, 2009

The mother of a kidnapped 3-year-old boy made a desperate plea for his release Tuesday before draping herself over his picture and sobbing.

"Please, I am asking them to release my son and give him back to me," a distraught Maria Rosalina Millan implored in Spanish during a news conference at the San Bernardino County sheriff's station. "He doesn't owe anything. I don't owe anything. He's a good boy."

<snipped>

(http://www.latimes.com/media/photo/2009-05/46733096.jpg)


Sounds like SOMEBODY owed SOMEONE.

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-missing-boy6-2009may06,0,510575.story

Heartbreaking... that look on the moms face is an international look of complete pain.

The parents may have been told to not say anything..The drug cartel goes after family members because they know in the Hispanic community family is everything.
 

Hello Monkeys

Connected to the cartel what do they want ?
Would they keep Briant alive and when they get what they want let him go?
God Bless Briant oh please don't let them hurt him over drugs

Monkey hugs

I heard Cartel but not directlly from LE. 

Unfortunately if it is a case of revenge I don't think so  ::MonkeyWaa:: There has not been a ransom request, that is concerning I would think to LE. If the drug cartel is involved,  Lets pray they let him go somewhere and just feel a good scare will do the trick. He is an adorable little boy. That video was heartbreaking ::MonkeyWaa::

Fox News said the police are going to be making an announcement about this case in the next few hours. The reporter thinks it may be an announcement asking the public for their help in regards to this new tip.

We will have to wait and see.

Unless it's a license plate number or a name of a suspect...what would it be? and if this involves the cartel wouldn't further info being made public put this baby more at risk? I am betting the kidnappers thought the family wouldn't contact LE and if they did it wouldn't become as public as it has because it isn't a "pretty white girl" that the national media normally pick up on. Do you think all this media attention has kept them from making contact with the family and sealed this poor angel's fate? That he has become more of a liability than they expected?


I am praying so hard they find this little guy.

Fox Report:

There may be a press conference at 2 PM local time. That's PST.

So, 4 pm CST.

He mentioned there may be some video of the two suspects at a gas station. That the car may be able to be identified from this video and there could possible be a third person that was driving the car.

There may be ties to organized crime.

The talking head on Fox said they could have taken the mom's cell phone, so they would have a way to contact the family without calling the house. That they could contact a family member/friend that may be in the phonebook of her phone.

Interesting theory on why they may have took her phone.

Thanks for the updates, appreciate it greatly. He is only 3 years old! poor little guy is probably scared and wants his mama  ::MonkeyWaa:: heartbreaking what people can do, just heartbreaking

Thanks so much for the updates pink

I feel bad and I'm so sorry that I was looking at the family doing harm to their son.
I'm truely sorry.
I'm sitting here with my mind swimming to tell you the truth I didn't know that the cartel was this big and bad. I mean you watch movies and think this can't be real. When will our little ones ever be truely safe from all the monster of the world.

Monkey hugs

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,519172,00.html

Police Have 'Very Good Lead' in Abduction of 3-Year-Old California Boy
Wednesday, May 06, 2009



Authorities may have a significant lead in the kidnapping of a 3-year-old California boy during a brazen armed robbery, they told FOX News.

There was no immediate word on when exactly police in San Bernardino County would announce their findings in the abduction of Briant Rodriguez by gun-wielding thieves.

A news conference was planned for sometime Wednesday afternoon.

Sheriffs have "got a very good lead that the public can help us with," they told FOX.

A homicide detective fluent in both English and Spanish spent several hours Wednesday morning with Briant's mother, Maria Rosalina Millan, who only speaks Spanish.

Detectives say tips have been pouring in, but most weren't yielding any solid information leading to the toddler's whereabouts.

There remained no ransom demand Wednesday morning, according to San Bernardino County sheriff's Lt. Rick Ells.

No motive had been established and federal and local investigators were looking at several theories, including that the Spanish-speaking kidnappers were from Mexico and may have had ties to organized crime there.

Border authorities were put on alert and FBI agents were helping in the investigation.

"Every minute, every second that passes, is critical," investigating Sgt. Doug Hubbard said at a news conference. "But we are remaining positive and investigating it as if we just went on scene."

Two gunmen burst through the family's front door Sunday and tied up Briant along with four of his siblings and their mother, then ransacked the house, stealing money and other property, the Sheriff's Department said.

"If anybody sees him please call the police," Millan said at the news conference. "They might have cut his hair so people don't recognize him, but it's the same beautiful, beautiful face."

Sheriff's spokeswoman Cindy Beavers said investigators were looking at numerous theories about where the little boy is, who his kidnappers are and what their motive might be.

"They've been looking at many, many avenues," she said. "It's certainly a possibility they were up from Mexico."

The home invasion lasted about 20 minutes, after which the men left with Briant, ordering his mother and the other children not to call police, officials said.

The family lives in a modest, single-story home in a lower-income area abutting the city of San Bernardino, about 60 miles east of Los Angeles.

Police are concerned that TV news vans parked outside the family's house might be keeping the abductors from making contact.

One of the children was able to loosen himself from his ties and freed the rest of the family, authorities said. Briant is the youngest of Millan's seven children. Her 16-year-old son was not home and another adult child does not live at home.

The boy's father was at work at the time and the initial investigation pointed to the kidnappers being strangers to the family, Ells said.

Sheriff's deputies called the California Highway Patrol about 7 1/2 hours after the kidnapping. That agency issued an Amber Alert soon after but they had no witness descriptions of the abductors' vehicle that could be posted on highway information signs to help locate the suspects.

I pray this little angel is safe too.

It's a scary world we live in. There seems to be much more evil nowadays...or it's just more public with the 24 hour news cycle (cable news, internet, etc)

So many missing kids, missing teens, missing adults, kids killing their parents, parents killing their kids, fathers killing their whole families. Pedophiles who rape babies, men who exploit young girls, parents that molest their own kids...

It's horrifying if you stop and think about it.

I do volunteer bereavement photography for families that have lost their little angels due to being born to soon or dying soon after birth for various medical reasons. All those little angels that were so wanted and so loved by their parents.

Then there is the Casey Anthony's of the world that are given this perfect little child and they toss their child away like it's trash. 

Any one of my families that I have worked with would have given their life for a live/healthy child. It just doesn't seem fair.

It breaks my heart every time I hear the news anymore.

Pink Angel what a nobel job you have. I bet you have helped many families hold on to that one moment in time they had with their child.  :2notworthy:

Quote..
"Every minute, every second that passes, is critical"

"Sheriff's deputies called the California Highway Patrol about 7 1/2 hours after the kidnapping."

End quote..


To many seconds and too many minutes.. These people were on a mission. They told mom of there intentions.. 7 1/2 hours ? They are already deep into Mexican Territory.
The worst case scenario...

They have to do better then this next time this happens..
They "LE" needs to listen to there own words.. Every second.. If it gets into hours or days it is over.
These type of people are not like giggly, happy days, Americans.. They are vicious.
Life is cheap, men,women, kids. They will kill anyone..
There are no rules in there world.
Somebody in this family has pissed off somebody in Mexico.. This child is to pay the price.
jmho

Thanks Tracygirl. Not many, a few. I have been a volunteer for almost a year now. Each one is painful but an honor.

They just did an update on Fox and the same reporter theorized that this family may have been "mis-targeted". That they (the bad guys) got the wrong house, which is why they didn't find what they were looking for when they ramsacked the house.

$50,000 reward offered in San Bernardino kidnapping case
By Stacia Glenn
Posted: 05/06/2009 12:02:09 PM PDT

A $50,000 reward is being offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of two men who abducted a 3-year-old San Bernardino boy from his home Sunday afternoon.

The FBI and San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors have each put up $25,000, sources familiar with the case said.

More than 50 detectives have been scouring Southern California for Briant Rodriguez, following leads from Tijuana to Northern California.

Two men burst into the boy's home on Pedley Road in San Bernardino on Sunday afternoon, tied up the woman and her five children, ransacked the house and warned them not to call police when they took Briant.

Briant's 8-year-old brother was able to wiggle free and untie the family. The mother immediately ran to a nearby liquor store and called 911.

Rosalina Millan spent five hours with sheriff's sketch artists Tuesday afternoon and composite sketches have been released of Briant's captors, who are said to be skinny Hispanic men between the ages of 18 and 24.

It's still a mystery as to why Briant was kidnapped. Detectives are calling it a stranger abduction and Millan has repeatedly said that the family is involved with no illegal activity.

The men took a small amount of money and Millan's cell phone, leaving behind a flat screen television and other valuables.

Anyone with information on Briant's whereabouts is asked to call the Amber Alert hotline at (866) 346-7632 or sheriff's
Advertisement
investigators at (909) 387-3589.

http://**/news/ci_12308299

I read over yonder that they have postponed the scheduled news conference as they are still "working on the new lead". 

Maybe That cell phone will get them caught.. 
That would be really cool. ::MonkeyWink::

Stacey...we do have to look at everyone when a child goes missing, even the family...until they are eliminated, everyone is a suspect I suppose...the mothers/fathers  that have claimed that their children were snatched and then we find out that they harmed their own children have put mistrust in most of us...imo....don't feel bad...everyone of us have probably had our doubts about a family member in a missing child case from time to time...xxxxx

Hoping that the new leads create some Activity - to bring this Little Guy Home.
I want to say that this " law" within the Amber Alert within California needs to be Modified.
Same thing happened with Sandra Cantu - NO AMBER Alert was issued when Sandra was initially reported missing - WHY ? because lack of Description of Vehicle. License plate yadda yadda ... BULL & BUNK.
Its not like there is a child reported missing every 15 mins in California - and if there Were SO What. Put that Amber Alert out.

With this little boy, another thing other than the Time it took to get an Amber Alert issued is .. the Media. I went last night and searched media for information on this little guy - and Every website has his Mother's name spelled incorrectly - or different. How many versions of Millan is there right now in the media within Briant's name.. um Many.
Even that his last name is Rodriguez, more than likely he is going to be identifiable by his Moms' name. For Tips and association ..etc.  Knowing that as it has been reported that this family has no phone " that it was taken" ..Um hello and depending on what News site your reading from " within your area" you may think to yourself OH no that's not the family I know, That's not how they spell their name.
 NO Bother. This family is from what I have read is new to the residence they live in - only have been there 3 mos. So I think it would be very crucial to know the proper spelling of the Family's " Mom's" last name.  This is disturbing that no one can Print the last name " spelled correctly" within the media.  I saw all versions - Milliana, Milan, Milana, Millan, Milana and then it is said her name is Rosalina yet goes by Maria  ::MonkeyConfused:: only on some of the news I have read.   What is the correct Name ? Versions of this name create different " pronunciations" especially within the Hispanic Community in and or out of California - Which LE is focusing on for leads and tips ..  makes no sense to me.  That's my Vent for the day.  :gaah:

I am praying that this Child is found unharmed and is returned to his parents.
My other thoughts are that these "men" who took him thought he was a little girl due to his hair length.. and then realized he was a little boy. Maybe that will work in his favor and they will let him go like the Little boy in Vegas. That they took the child wrongfully and simply give him back to where he can be found.
Praying for Briant & his Family.  :smt049
 ::MonkeyAngel::

Thank you Cookie

Monkey hugs

anytime...

I think we are all in agreement that the Amber Alert qualifications need to be changed. When i was ranting about it in connection with the Victoria Stafford disappearance in Canada someone i work with pointed out.  If the rules the LE use right now weren't in place would the Amber Alert system still work or become more common place and not everyone would pay attention to it.  I don't think they should wait until they have a car id'd the sooner the better.

'Very Good Lead' in Abduction of 3-Year-Old California Boy Falls Short

A significant lead in the kidnapping of a 3-year-old California boy during a brazen armed robbery turned up no new information, the San Bernardino Sun reported.

San Bernardino County sheriff's office said Wednesday in a statement they "got a very good lead that the public can help us with," but that tip fizzled.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,519360,00.html


Darn. . .   ::MonkeyNoNo::

News conference called in abduction of 3-year-old boy
By Stacia Glenn
Posted: 05/07/2009 01:23:13 PM PDT


Sheriff's detectives said they will be holding a news conference at 2:30 p.m. to discuss the progress of an ongoing investigation into the abduction of 3-year-old Briant Rodriguez.

The boy was taken Sunday afternoon from his San Bernardino home during a home invasion robbery. No motive has been established.

Two men tied up Briant's mother and four siblings and ransacked the house before taking the boy.

Investigators are following up on more than 100 tips that have been called in to the Amber Alert hotline, (866) 346-7632.





http://**/breakingnews/ci_12317208

(http://www.missingkids.com/photographs/NCMC1121830c1.jpg)

The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children has done released a new sketch of what he would look like with all his beautiful curls cut off.
Which I think is a great idea!

Surveillance photographs released of captors, getaway car in boy's abduction; reward offered
By Stacia Glenn
Posted: 05/07/2009 03:01:48 PM PDT
Updated: 05/07/2009 03:30:17 PM PDT

Investigators today released surveillance photographs showing a green Ford Bronco leaving a San Bernardino neighborhood where 3-year-old Briant Rodriguez was abducted on Sunday, three minutes before his mother dialed 911. They also announced a $50,000 reward in the case.

The footage, taken from an undisclosed local business and the liquor store where Rosalina Millan ran for help after the 2:30 p.m. home invasion robbery, also shows two men believed to have taken the boy. Sheriff's Sgt. Frank Bell said none of the footage shows Briant.

One segment was taken from a store in the Inland Empire that shows the alleged kidnappers at 7:45 a.m. Friday buying the same kind of tape used to bind Briant's family during the incident. Detectives declined to comment on whether the abduction was premeditated.

"We are confident the suspects pictured .... are responsible for the kidnapping of Briant Rodriguez," Sherif Rod Hoops said at an afternoon briefing. "We urge the persons who have Briant to drop him off at a hospital, school, police department or fire station. He's an innocent victim in this and he needs to be home with his family."

Investigators said they have not identified the suspects, but said they are hopeful the surveillance photographs may help generate new leads. They also declined to say whether they know what the motive was.

"That's part of the investigation and we're not going to talk about that," Hoops said before hesitating.

When a reporter commented that the sheriff's hesitation spoke volumes, Hoops said "Take that for what you will."

The FBI and the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors have each volunteered to put up $25,000 in reward money.

Millan declined to comment this afternoon.

Anyone with information on the suspects or Briant's whereabouts is asked to call the Amber Alert hotline at (866) 346-7632.


http://**/california/ci_12318664

There is NOTHING posted online yet, I am searching. I am betting JVM will have it on her show at 6 CST.

Officials To Release Photo Of Kidnap Suspects
SAN BERNARDINO (AP) ―

[Click to zoom.] Click to enlarge
    Briant Rodriguez, 3, was taken from his home in San Bernardino Sunday.

    CBS/CBS
1 of 1

Close

numSlides of totalImages
Related Stories

    * Border Authorities On Alert In I.E. Kidnapping (5/6/2009)
    * No Ransom, Motive In 3-Year-Old Boy's Kidnapping (5/5/2009)
    * Gunmen Abduct Boy, 3, After Home-Invasion Robbery (5/4/2009)

Authorities have released a photo of two men suspected of abducting a 3-year-old boy from his family home in San Bernardino four days ago.

San Bernardino County Sheriff Rod Hoops says the image came from a surveillance camera in a store near the home.

Authorities suspect it was taken two days before the abduction, as the men bought unspecified material to tie up the family members.

Hoops also says the men could be driving a green Ford Bronco.

He declined to comment on a possible motive, citing the ongoing investigation.

http://cbs2.com/local/Kidnap.Suspects.San.2.1004120.html

(http://i42.tinypic.com/34s07dd.jpg)

(http://i41.tinypic.com/2mmg3gm.jpg)

Thanks for posting the pics. The 2 men look like they are on a mission doesn't it? Where is this little boy? What have they done to him?

Excellent pictures... There are cameras at the border crossing and it would be easy to see them cross into Mexico. Unfortunately there is nobody going to stop them and search there vehicle going into Mexico from the united states and once inside they know how to avoid the 30 mile check point.

I have a whole group of Mexican nationals at my work place..
I get lots of free opinions on the situation..

They both appear to have been painting the same barn..
I have to get home to mess with these photos..

I think those photos were taken before the kidnapping...from what I heard on JVM (?) they had bought tape at a local store 2 days before they took the little boy...same tape that they used to tie the family up with...

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,519360,00.html

$50,000 Offered for Help Finding Abducted 3-Year-Old California Boy


San Bernardino County and the FBI are offering separate $25,000 rewards for help solving the kidnapping of 3-year-old Briant Rodriguez.

(snipped)


I find it very interresting that this high a reward is being offered by who it's being offered.  

Checking in to see if there is anything new. Saying extra prayers for this little boy to be with his mommy for Mothers Day

I thought the same thing! they don't normally off this high of a reward do they???? never heard of it before...

TIJUANA, Mexico – Mexican police say three women who disappeared in the border city of Tijuana were killed by drug traffickers who dissolved their bodies in a caustic substance.

Baja California state investigator Miguel Guerrero says the women — aged 23 to 25 — have been missing since August after they traveled from Mexicali to Tijuana, across from San Diego.

Guerrero says two alleged drug traffickers who were arrested this week confessed to the killings. A third suspect is being sought.

He said in a statement Thursday that the women were killed after one of them argued with one of the suspects in a bar. The victims were smothered, and their bodies dissolved in a drum.

=================================================================

This is how it really is in Mexico... Brutal
jmho

Wow Edward that is awful! Just because the girl argued...I too have heard the Mexican drug cartel is just ruthless. They don't have a conscience and will hurt, torture or kill anyone for  any kind of disrespect. I hope that is not what this poor little boy found himself in.

I wonder if the town is doing any kind of search or putting flyers out?

Mistaken identity leaves local father angry

Last Update: 7:22 pm

A Bakersfield boy who looks like a missing boy from San Bernardino was mistaken for the kidnap victim. His father was detained by the Sherrif's Department and he is upset at how the situation was handled.

The curly haired 3-year-old was kidnapped from his home by gunmen on Sunday and a nationwide law enforcement search was begun.

On Wednesday evening the Kern County Sheriff's Office got a tip that the boy might be in Bakersfield.

It turned out to be a case of mistaken identity that left the father of a local boy - with curly hair - upset at the treatment he says he received from local deputies.

The two boys are around the same age and share that same long curly hair.

Charlie Farhat said that's why deputies stopped him and his son. What happened next, Farhat said, was just plain wrong.

(story continued at link)

http://is.gd/xYzb

Tips in San Bernardino boy's kidnapping surge, thanks to surveillance
Stacia Glenn, Staff Writer
Posted: 05/08/2009 05:20:38 PM PDT
Updated: 05/08/2009 08:10:48 PM PDT

SAN BERNARDINO - The number of tips and sightings of kidnapped Briant Rodriguez have surged since a $50,000 reward was offered and the public got a peek at surveillance photographs of his captors and their vehicle.

Investigators said Friday they have fielded more than 350 calls to the toll-free hot line, which is triple the amount that had come in days before. About 280 of them are worth following up, they said.

"We're pleased that the public is still interested in this case and that they're calling in with potential leads to help us find Briant," said sheriff's Sgt. Dave Phelps.

The FBI, which is assisting in the San Bernardino boy's abduction, has also moved the case to the top of their Facebook page.

A caption beside the missing boy's photograph is "Help find 3-year-old Briant Rodriguez." Surveillance photographs showing a late model green Ford Bronco with an oxidized roof and two skinny Latino men buying tape at a local hardware store are also featured.

The armed men burst into a Pedley Street home Sunday afternoon as Rosalina Millan prepared to take Briant and four of his siblings to a nearby park.

They tied the family up with tape, stole a cell phone and cash and told Millan they planned to take Briant to Mexico and kill him.

No motive has been established and investigators are pursuing several leads, including that there may be ties to a Mexican drug cartel.

Sheriff Rod Hoops has stressed that neither Millan nor Briant's father, who was on a landscaping job when the home invasion occurred, are suspects.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials confirmed Friday that they are "providing support" in the case but declined to elaborate. The Border Patrol is also on alert.

The case has captured national attention and investigators are hoping to disseminate information about Briant into other countries.

Electronic billboards in Tijuana are flashing the boy's picture next to the Amber Alert hot line number. The Polly Klaas Foundation, which helps search for missing children, has distributed thousands of fliers to Southern California gas stations and convenience stores and has devised a way to get the word across the border.

Anyone who types "Briant Rodriguez" into Google's search engine will see a missing poster pop up on the righthand side with all pertinent information.

"This is very, very serious. This is beyond an abduction," said executive director Bob DeLeo. "The more images you have out there, the more likely it is that the perpetrators will be turned in and the child will be found."

Anyone with information is asked to call the hot line at (866) 346-7632.

http://is.gd/xYDT

http://www.facebook.com/fbi

As Brutal as it is Edward - I agree with you. It is REAL within Mexico and it happens more than We as US citizens could ever imagine and or fathom.

http://**/news/ci_12329072

Tips in San Bernardino boy's kidnapping surge, thanks to surveillance
Stacia Glenn, Staff Writer
Posted: 05/08/2009 05:20:38 PM PDT

SAN BERNARDINO - The number of tips and sightings of kidnapped Briant Rodriguez have surged since a $50,000 reward was offered and the public got a peek at surveillance photographs of his captors and their vehicle.

Investigators said Friday they have fielded more than 350 calls to the toll-free hot line, which is triple the amount that had come in days before. About 280 of them are worth following up, they said.

"We're pleased that the public is still interested in this case and that they're calling in with potential leads to help us find Briant," said sheriff's Sgt. Dave Phelps.

The FBI, which is assisting in the San Bernardino boy's abduction, has also moved the case to the top of their Facebook page.

A caption beside the missing boy's photograph is "Help find 3-year-old Briant Rodriguez." Surveillance photographs showing a late model green Ford Bronco with an oxidized roof and two skinny Latino men buying tape at a local hardware store are also featured.

The armed men burst into a Pedley Street home Sunday afternoon as Rosalina Millan prepared to take Briant and four of his siblings to a nearby park.

They tied the family up with tape, stole a cell phone and cash and told Millan they planned to take Briant to Mexico and kill him.


No motive has been established and investigators are pursuing several leads, including that there may be ties to a Mexican drug cartel.

Sheriff Rod Hoops has stressed that neither Millan nor Briant's father, who was on a landscaping job when the home invasion occurred, are suspects.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials confirmed Friday that they are "providing support" in the case but declined to elaborate. The Border Patrol is also on alert.

The case has captured national attention and investigators are hoping to disseminate information about Briant into other countries.

Electronic billboards in Tijuana are flashing the boy's picture next to the Amber Alert hot line number. The Polly Klaas Foundation, which helps search for missing children, has distributed thousands of fliers to Southern California gas stations and convenience stores and has devised a way to get the word across the border.

Anyone who types "Briant Rodriguez" into Google's search engine will see a missing poster pop up on the righthand side with all pertinent information.

"This is very, very serious. This is beyond an abduction," said executive director Bob DeLeo. "The more images you have out there, the more likely it is that the perpetrators will be turned in and the child will be found."

Anyone with information is asked to call the hot line at (866) 346-7632.

(http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o100/klaasen3/Sub6_022109/20090507_021327_briant_GALLERY.jpg)

(http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o100/klaasen3/Sub6_022109/20090507_045042_050709_kidnap_suspe.jpg)


(http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o100/klaasen3/Sub6_022109/20090507_050234_kidnap_vehicle01_GA.jpg)

(http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o100/klaasen3/Sub6_022109/20090507_050308_kidnap_vehicle02_GA.jpg)

3 Year Old Briant Rodriguez Missing Since May 3, 2009 in San Bernardino, CA as Two Gunman Robbed Home and Tied Up Family

http://missingexploited.com/2009/05/10/3-year-old-briant-rodriguez-missing-since-may-3-2009-in-san-bernardino-ca-as-two-gunman-robbed-home-and-tied-up-family/

We might have to go South of the border to find the little boy.

David M. Smolin, “Child Laundering: How the Intercountry Adoption System Legitimizes and Incentivizes the Practices of Buying, Trafficking, Kidnapping, and Stealing Children,” ExpressO; Wayne Law Review 52.No. 1 (2006): 113-200.

Abstract: This article documents and analyzes a substantial incidence of “child laundering” within the intercountry adoption system. Child laundering occurs when children are taken illegally from birth families through child buying or kidnapping, and then ”laundered” through the adoption system as ”orphans” and then ”adoptees.” The article then proposes reforms to the intercountry adoption system that could substantially reduce the incidence of child laundering.

A MUST READ..

http://law.bepress.com/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=3679&context=expresso

GUATAMALA IS THE SECOND IN THE WORLD IN ILLEGAL ORPHAN ADOPTIONS.
CHILDREN ARE KIDNAPPED AND PUT INTO SAFE HOUSES..THEN LATER SOLD/ADOPTED.

Note:
Richard Cross, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent’s presentation at Samford University, Cumberland School of Law, on April 15, 2005, about his investigation of Lauryn Galindo’s Cambodian operation which bought, defrauded, or kidnapped children from their birth families for the purpose of international adoption. Cross’s investigation led to Galindo being tried and jailed on federal charges.

From Cross's presentation: “I keep getting asked … why didn’t you charge her [Lauryn Galindo] with human trafficking? She couldn’t be charged with human traf-ficking; human trafficking only deals with sex or forced labor. You can get away with buying babies around the world as a United States citizen, it’s not a crime.”

http://www.brandeis.edu/investigate/gender/adoption/CambodiaSources.html

Billboard on 215 Freeway displays information on abduction of Briant Rodriguez
By Stacia Glenn
Posted: 05/11/2009 03:59:15 PM PDT

As investigators continue a desperate search for an abducted San Bernardino boy, a photograph of Briant Rodriguez and information on his captors is flashing on an electronic billboard near Arrowhead Credit Union Park.

Sheriff's spokeswoman Jodi Miller said billboards are "so helpful in getting the word out to people who are driving. We want to keep it fresh in people's minds that we're looking for this child."

The billboard can be seen by motorists driving on the 215 Freeway in San Bernardino.

Briant, 3, was taken from his Pedley Road home on May 2 by two Hispanic men who tied up his family and ransacked the house before kidnapping the boy. No motive has been released.

Billboards have also been set up in Tijuana. More than 300 tips and sightings have been called into the Amber Alert hotline in the last week.

The FBI and San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors have offered a $50,000 reward for information leading to Briant's captors or the dark green Ford Bronco they are believed to have been driving.

Briant has brown curly hair, brown eyes, is 3-feet tall and weighs 40 pounds.

Anyone with information is asked to call (866) 346-7632.

Edit to add link per Pink Angel:
 http://**/ci_12344636?source=most_viewed

Although in America we have many many freeways..In Mexico and all the way down to Argentina there is ONE major freeway.
It is called the Pan American Highway and I traveled on it for many years.. This is the road they would take to move the victim to a safe house in Guatemala..

They would come down through Nogales..

There is another route not shown that goes from Laredo Texas to Chicago and into Canada..
IF Tori has suffered a kidnapping by such people then she would be moved on that road..

Officials think Briant is still alive
Tips on kidnapping of 3-year-old pour in
Stacia Glenn, Staff Writer
Posted: 05/12/2009 04:20:42 PM PDT

SAN BERNARDINO - Investigators said Tuesday they have made headway in the case of the 3-year-old San Bernardino boy abducted more than a week ago and that they believe Briant Rodriguez is still alive.

"We are conducting this investigation on the assumption he's still alive. We have no indication otherwise," said San Bernardino County sheriff's Sgt. Doug Hubbard, who is overseeing the search for Briant.

Two armed men took the curly haired boy from his home May 3 after using tape to tie up Briant's mother and four of his siblings as the family prepared to leave for a nearby park.

The motive remains a mystery, but there are 15 detectives searching around the clock for Briant, his captors and the dark green Ford Bronco that was seen speeding from the neighborhood three minutes before Rosalina Millan dialed 9-1-1.

The number of tips has steadily climbed to 400 and are spread across the Western states. Detailed tips are being followed by local investigators and FBI agents, while officers in other states have volunteered to check out lower priority sightings.

Investigators also continue checking surveillance videos at Inland businesses, hoping to find more clues.

Last week, they released surveillance photographs of the kidnappers and their vehicle taken at a local hardware store and a liquor store near Briant's Pedley Road house. The suspects were seen buying the type of tape they used to tie up Briant's family, investigators have
Advertisement
said.

"We're not going anywhere," Hubbard vowed. "We're going to carry on until we've exhausted every possible lead and tip."

A $50,000 reward has been offered by the FBI and the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors for information leading to the arrest of Briant's captors.

Anyone with information on the kidnapping is asked to call the Amber Alert hotline at (866) 346-7632.

http://is.gd/ztZo

anybody seen this today? any connection to Briant possibly? sad, no matter who this child is..

townhall.com/news/.../dead_boy_found_buried_in_sand_at_nm_playground

sorry I am not good at copying links...

Dead boy found buried in sand at NM playground

May 16, 2009 5:03 AM (3 hrs ago) By SUSAN MONTOYA BRYAN, AP
 SEE HOW THIS STORY DEVELOPED

» 3 hrs ago: Dead boy found buried in sand at NM playground «
This story ranks # 164 of 3,321
Related Topics: ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.
Map data ©2009 Tele Atlas - Terms of Use
Map
Satellite
Hybrid
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (Map, News) -
Forensic experts searched a public park late into the night for evidence of who buried the body of a little boy in the playground's sand.

The investigation began Friday afternoon when a woman who took her children to the city park in Albuquerque spotted part of child's shoe sticking out of the sand. She called police.

Investigators later found the body of a boy they believe is between the ages of 3 and 5.

Forensic experts with the state's Office of the Medical Investigator told police the boy could not have been dead longer than 48 hours, police spokesman John Walsh said.
This story continues below
Advertisement

Police had received no reports of missing children in the day before the discovery, Albuquerque Police Chief Ray Schultz told a news conference. Schultz said the boy may be from the neighborhood surrounding Alvarado Park but wouldn't elaborate.

"This is one of those cases where I think every minute counts," Schultz said, appealing to the public for help.

Schultz would not say whether there were any wounds on the body.

The boy was wearing a red shirt with the image of a four-wheel drive truck on the front, black nylon pants with red stripes and black shoe

 ::MonkeyEek:: ::MonkeyShocked:: ::MonkeyWaa::

Edward....what are you thinking???...scary...scary...

That is horrible.  ::MonkeyEek::

Just on FOXNEWS - a boy matching the description of Briant has been found ALIVE in Mexico.  

Not for sure Briant, that is the report I just heard on Fox, that he matches the description.

Klaas! just heard that myself and was rushing to post about it! oh my God...sweet Lord...let it be him..

I'm not seeing anything online yet about this, only heard on TV.  I pray it's him!

me too!! they just had a short news break about it again...haven't seen it anywhere else except Fox...

Please, please, please God let it be him! Prayers being sent!

http://**/news/ci_12380234

Here is a story on him

http://**/news/ci_12380234

(http://extras.mnginteractive.com/live/media/site208/2009/0507/20090507_021327_briant_100.jpg)

Investigators likely found Briant Rodriguez alive in Mexico
By Stacia Glenn
Posted: 05/16/2009 08:26:11 AM PDT


This is what 3-year-old Briant Rodriguez would look like with short hair. (National Center for Missing & Exploited Children)A 3-year-old San Bernardino boy who was kidnapped by armed men two weeks ago has likely been found in Mexico, officials said.

Investigators received a call on Friday from officials in Mexicali that a child matching Briant Rodriguez's description had been dropped off at a building there. FBI agents, sheriff's detectives and the boy's mother, Rosana Millan, immediately flew to Mexicali.

Although Mexican officials have not yet allowed them to see the boy, investigators said they believe it is him.

"It sounds very positive," said sheriff's spokeswoman Cindy Beavers.

The boy is safe but his head has been shaved. Briant's missing child photograph showed him with shoulder length brown curly hair, but Millan repeatedly said that her son's captors could have cut his hair.

There was no sign of the kidnappers when investigators arrived in Mexico.

Briant was taken from his Pedley Road home on May 3 by two armed men who ransacked his family's house, tied up Millan and four of his siblings before abducting the boy and saying he was taking Briant to Mexico to kill him.

No motive has been established.

Briant's 8-year-old brother almost immediately wiggled free and untied the rest of the family. Millan ran two blocks to the nearest liquor store and called 911 from a shopkeeper's cell phone. A surveillance photograph shows the suspects' green Ford Bronco speeding away from the neighborhood three minutes before the 911 call came in.

Why are they  not letting them see the boy?

http://breakingnews.abc7.com/2009/05/abducted-boy-may-have-been-found-in-mexico.html

Abducted boy may have been found in Mexico
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Posted by Nancy Chen at 10:28:50 AM

      SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. (KABC) - Authorities say a boy matching the description of a 3-year-old boy who was kidnapped from his San Bernardino home may have been found alive in Mexico.

San Bernardino County Sheriff's spokesman Cindy Beavers says Saturday that investigators and FBI agents got a call from officials in the border town of Mexicali on Friday that they found a child who could be Briant Rodriguez.

Detectives and the boy's mother flew to Calexico late Friday but the mother has not yet seen or identified the child, Beavers said.

The boy was abducted May 3 from his San Bernardino home by two men who had tied up his family and robbed his home. Investigators have not established a motive.

I'm sure they are letting the family see the boy.  My guess is the reporters haven't gotten that information yet. 

thanks Klaas! keep up with the updates! oh my gosh...if this is him, then that will be 2 missing children who have been found safe this week!  ::MonkeyDance::

 ::MonkeyDance:: ::cartwheel::

Great news  ::MonkeyAngel::

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,520394,00.html

Abducted California Boy May Have Been Found in Mexico
Saturday , May 16, 2009


SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. —

A child matching the description of a 3-year-old boy snatched from his home by two armed men may have been found alive in Mexico, authorities said Saturday.

San Bernardino County Sheriff's detectives and FBI agents received a call from officials in the border town of Mexicali on Friday that they found a boy that could be Briant Rodriguez, department spokeswoman Cindy Beavers said.

That night, investigators and the boy's mother, Maria Rosalina Millan, flew to the neighboring city of Calexico and were waiting to see the child and confirm his identity, Beavers said.

"It seems the process to make an identification in a case like this is quite different in Mexico than the U.S.," Beavers said. "We're trying to be very patient and we're very hopeful. Very hopeful

Geez! couldn't they have sent the mom a cell phone picture while she was waiting to see him???
this is a long time for a mother to wait to see if this is her missing child...imo of course...

I'm trying to understand why these men took Briant. They didn't ask for a ransom, so was it to send a message to the family? Hopefully some kind of sense will be made out of this, and hopefully they will arrest the men that are responsible.

This is all very strange  ::MonkeyEek::

I know just let her in already! I am sure the FBI will not bring a person to mexico, claim it is the boys mom and all the while be lying! Sheesh!

they must be really really sure that this is him...otherwise, would they fly the mom to Mexico?
did you see where they said that his head had been shaved?
he would be old enough to tell the LE what his name is ....I bet it is him!
no news  on Fox lately about it...

Keeping my fingers, toes, arms, legs and eyes crossed!

 ::MonkeyDance::  tee hee!! me too Tracygirl!!!

read blinkoncrime's story on this

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090516/ap_on_re_us/us_abducted_boy

LOS ANGELES – Officials in Mexico have found a child they believe is a 3-year-old boy abducted from his California home but that country's identification process is slowing the family's ability to confirm the child's identity, authorities said Saturday.

Detectives in San Bernardino County and FBI agents received a call from Mexican officials in the border town of Mexicali on Friday saying that they had found a boy that could be Briant Rodriguez, sheriff's spokeswoman Cindy Beavers said.

She said investigators and the boy's mother, Maria Rosalina Millan, flew to the neighboring city of Calexico to see the child and confirm his identity. Mexican officials were seeking the boy's birth certificate and other paperwork as part of that country's identification process before Millan can see the child.

Sheriff's Lt. Rick Ells said the process could also require a physical and mental exam by child protective social workers, which may not happen until Monday. The birth certificate also must be authenticated.
"While we're frustrated about the wait, we're hopeful that it is him and that he's OK," Ells said.

Authorities said Briant was abducted May 3 by two armed men who burst into his home, tied up Millan and other family members and stole money and property. The kidnappers have not demanded a ransom and no motive had been established.

San Bernardino is about 60 miles east of Los Angeles

Geez, let the woman see her child!

After reading this this morning..I was sad..
THEN I had to go with our boyscout troop on an adventure.. While we were out I got a call from Gloria Denton at 7 a.m. who told me that this 3 year old child was Briant was found in Mexico. She got the info from somebody we both know..
The boy had a note on him.. "I have been abducted from usa"

SO .. This is great news.. I am very elated as it gives me hope for many cases of abducted..
I thought he was dead for sure..

BUT ..Who is this child found buried in a park playground ??
NOW That is a mystery ..

It is him by the way..

Edward~  Please see Klaas's post, and then see mine below hers.  Thanks

Confirmed!

http://**/news/ci_12380234

Briant Rodriguez found safe in Mexico
By Stacia Glenn
Posted: 05/16/2009 08:26:11 AM PDT


This is what 3-year-old Briant Rodriguez would look like with short hair. (National Center for Missing & Exploited Children)Investigators confirmed this afternoon that the boy discovered in Mexicali is 3-year-old Briant Rodriguez, who was abducted from his San Bernardino home two weeks ago.

Briant was reunited at 4:15 p.m. with his mother, Rosalina Millan, who flew to Calexico Friday afternoon with San Bernardino County sheriff's investigators. Mexico officials notified local authorities Friday that a boy matching the description of Briant had been dropped off at a government building in border town Mexicali.

A 6 p.m. news conference has been called, where sheriff's officials said they would discuss details of the case.

The boy is safe but his head has been shaved. Briant's missing child photograph showed him with shoulder length brown curly hair, but Millan repeatedly said that her son's captors could have cut his hair.

There was no sign of the kidnappers when investigators arrived in Mexico.

Investigators have been meeting with Mexican officials since Friday afternoon. There was a delay in confirming Briant's identity because Mexican officials asked for the boy's birth certificate and other supporting documents to help in the identification process.

Briant was taken from his Pedley Road home on May 3 by two armed men who ransacked his family's house, tied up Millan and four of his siblings before abducting the boy and saying he was taking Briant to Mexico to kill him.

No motive has been established and the kidnappers did not demand a ransom.

(snipped)

Edward~  I've started a thread for the little boy found on the playground:

http://scaredmonkeys.net/index.php?topic=5122.msg808700#msg808700

I'll wait to move this thread until after the 6pm news conference. 

Wonderful to have some good news for a change!  Still very odd circumstances surrounding this abduction and subsequent $50,000 reward  ::MonkeyEek::

Thank You..

UMMM Reward ??
How much did they owe?

He was kidnapped for a reason..

Anyone who tries to collect on that Reward..Arrest them ! OH that is right We are talking Mexico Home of Corrupted officials.

Never mind.. I am happy he is safe.....
BUT If the drug people THINK they will get rewards for kidnap victims we may see this happen again.. 

 ::MonkeyWink::

The FBI and San Bernardino Sheriff's department put up the reward.  I don't believe anyone has tried to get the reward.  I agree that somehow this has to be drug related even if by mistaken identity.  There has to be a reason the FBI and Sheriff's department was willing to put up $25,000 each.   ::MonkeyCool::

Link to the press conf:

http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/livenow?id=6816835

Abducted California boy reunites with his mother
By GILLIAN FLACCUS
ASSOCIATED PRESS
May 16, 2009, 8:08PM

SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. — A 3-year-old boy abducted from his family home in San Bernardino nearly two weeks ago by two armed men was reunited with his mother Saturday after police found him wandering a Mexican border town's streets, sheriff's officials said.

The reunion took place in the California border city of Calexico, a day after detectives and FBI agents received a call from officials in the neighboring Mexican city of Mexicali saying they found a boy that could be Briant Rodriguez, San Bernardino County sheriff's Lt. Rick Ells said.
<snipped>
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/front/6427361.html

That is excellent news  ::MonkeyAngel::

Thank God!
this will be another fine example that we can say when people/parents are giving up hope! until there is a body and proof positive...never, ever give up hope...
What a miracle...
I know that these guys kidnapped this child for what ever reason, but thank God they let him go and did not kill him or give him to anyone else..this should go towards consideration when and if they are arrested...If there is no incentive to release children alive, then a kidnapper may kill the child since the sentence would be the same? what say you all about that? not to have sympathy towards these kidnappers through the courts, but to give the kidnapper more of a reason to release the child...Maybe they had second thoughts and decided not to harm him? For whatever reason, I am thankful that they did the right thing and released this child...my heart is happy!!! ::MonkeyDance::

Can you imagine what this mother felt that very moment she held her son in her arms again after 2 weeks of hoping and praying he was live?

This is the way all of these stories should end, a child being reunited again with his/her mother.

Thank you God for protecting this child, may he live the rest of his life in peace.

The sherriff that the press conference was almost in tears when he described the reunion of mother and child.  He said Briant ran up to his mom and grabbed onto her neck and just held on.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,520411,00.html

(http://www.foxnews.com/images/532626/1_65_051609_briant_rodriguez.jpg)


Abducted California Boy Found in Mexico, Reunited With Mother
Saturday , May 16, 2009


SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. —

A 3-year-old boy abducted from his family home in San Bernardino nearly two weeks ago by two armed men was reunited with his mother Saturday after police found him wandering a Mexican border town's streets, sheriff's officials said.

The reunion took place in the California border city of Calexico, a day after detectives and FBI agents received a call from officials in the neighboring Mexican city of Mexicali saying they found a boy that could be Briant Rodriguez, San Bernardino County sheriff's Lt. Rick Ells said.

Ells said a municipal police officer in Mexicali found the boy walking the streets by himself late Thursday. The officer initially thought the child was from the neighborhood and took him to several houses seeking his family before leaving him in child protective custody, Ells said.

Mexican authorities did not realize who the child was and didn't issue a missing child alert until Friday afternoon, he said.

Click here for photos.

Ells said Briant's mother, Maria Rosalina Millan, and investigators boarded a plane to Calexico Friday night. An FBI agent crossed the border and handled immigration paperwork for the boy, who holds dual U.S. and Mexican citizenship, he said.

The FBI agent brought Briant back across the border for the reunion Saturday, Ells said.

Ells had no details about the child's condition or how long he had been left alone.

Investigators were continuing to investigate why Briant was abducted and why his family was targeted. Millan said two men burst into her home on May 3, tied up the family, stole money and other property then left with her youngest child.

The kidnappers had not demanded a ransom and the initial investigation pointed to the kidnappers being strangers to the family.

Federal and local investigators were looking at several theories, including that the Spanish-speaking kidnappers were from Mexico and may have had ties to organized crime there.

Authorities later released a photo of two men they said were the kidnappers. The blurred image was taken from a surveillance camera in a home-improvement store as the men bought tape believed to have been used to bind Millan and her children.

The family lives in a modest, single-story home in a lower-income area abutting the city of San Bernardino, about 60 miles east of Los Angeles.

WOW  This is a miracle.  His family must be ecstatic...especially his mother.  Thank you God.

This is wonderful news!!  Prayers have been answered!!! Thank You, God!!

This is such wonderful news.  My God the emotional roller coaster this mom must have gone through over the last two weeks.  She's just experienced unparalleled happiness.  God Bless her and her little boy, and God Bless law enforcement and the ordinary people who helped find this little child that weren't afraid to speak up.

http://**/news/ci_12386089            Looks like detectives are closing in on an arrest of the men that did this.

I saw a Dateline or 20/20 about kidnappings happening in Phoenix the other night.  Can't remember the number of these 'home-invasion' kidnappings per year but it was over 200..and the police said that they 'just found out' that the real number is more than doubled that.  The families that this happens to are 'targeted' and are involved in drugs and the families pay the ransom on their own and most don't call police.

Now with little Briant found safe, I will make some remarks on a couple of things that struck me as odd when they were first reporting this kidnapping.

One, the house is located in a 'poor' area of town...and the kidnappers stole a little money..but left the flat screen TV's (plural).  Now, it isn't that I don't think poor people deserve a good TV...but, geez....how could they afford that? and more than one? 

Two...the father constantly covered his face w/his hands.  Can't look anyone in the eye?  OK  And perhaps because of guilt because he wasn't there..perhaps he would have been the victim instead of the baby.

Now, since this is probably an organized 'ring'...hopefully they get the family into some secret place before they arrest the people that did the kidnapping..otherwise, they might be victims of a retaliation.   They may arrest these guys..but the ring could send more after them.

This guy is only the daddy of Briant IIRC, so probably that is why he was taken and not any of the other children.  Hopefully, this mother does the right thing and get the he!! out of there.

Bluesy...I had thought noticed and commented as well that the father would never show his face...if he was on camera, he had a hat on and his hands covered his face...
you do bring up a lot of good points....
the best thing is that Briant is safe....
but as has been mentioned on here as well, why the large reward and by who put the money up....raises some eyebrows in my opinion...

The other thing I was wondering...Did the FBI put/pay a ransom to get him back?
Not that I really care, we waste a lot of money in this country...that a ransom to get a child back would be money well spent.

The suspects, both believed to be hiding in Mexico, are accused of taking Briant Rodriguez on May 3 after tying up his mother and four of his siblings. No motive has been released.

Authorities said they found evidence at the crime scene that links Israel Ledesma Moreno, 27, and Liberato Vega, 30, to the kidnapping. State and federal warrants were issued against both men, who were in the country illegally and have a history of minor crimes in Southern California, FBI and San Bernardino County sheriff's officials said.

Sheriff's Sgt. Dave Phelps declined to comment on whether the men knew Briant's family.


http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2009/05/16/state/n102357D13.DTL&tsp=1

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
More at link

Hi Toler! Also I heard on JVM (?) that there was also a woman with them...

Hi cooks  ::MonkeyDance::

Oh, hadn't heard about a woman being with them. It'll be interesting to learn just WHY Briant, why his home? xx

on one of those shows tonight, can't remember which one  ::MonkeyConfused:: one of the guests said that this home was for sure targeted....was not random...but why was it targeted, if indeed it was?
I would be moving fast! get that little boy outta there..
I will say it again, at least these thugs did not kill the little guy!

quote
I saw something on Fox News this morning. They were talking to a police officer, it may have been the one who found the child. I think it was Gretchen of Fox & Friends who asked the cop about the mother being here illegally, and he said that it didn’t matter what her immigrant status was. All that mattered was that the boy was a U.S. citizen. The cop said they couldn’t give a motive for the kidnapping, but were planning on releasing that information later today. I guess they didn’t get around to doing it. quote
=======================================================================

This quote is from a news forum, cookie...freerepublic. Looks as though they know the motive and were planning on releasing the info this afternoon? Seems they had a change of mind...wonder why?

hmmmmm  yes, wonder why....

Police name two suspects in kidnapping of 3-year-old Briant Rodriguez
7:26 AM | May 19, 2009
 Authorities have identified two men they believe kidnapped 3-year-old Briant Rodriguez from his San Bernardino home along with a woman they describe as a "person of interest" in the case.

The suspects, Liberato Vega, 30, and Israel Ledesma Moreno, 28, may be in Mexico, and warrants have been issued for their arrest, said San Bernardino County sheriff's spokeswoman Jodie Miller. Both are illegal immigrants who have been deported before.

Vega's girlfriend, Claudia Acosta-Serrano, 21, is wanted for questioning, Miller said.

Briant was kidnapped May 3 after two men ransacked the home, tied up his family and took him away at gunpoint. He was found in Mexicali, Mexico, last Thursday and was reunited with his mother Saturday.

No motive for the kidnapping has been established. Sheriff's investigators and the FBI said Monday that they had not ruled out a possible narcotics connection but did not elaborate. Rodriguez's parents are not suspects.

-- David Kelley


http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2009/05/police-searching-for-suspects-in-kidnapping-of-briant-rodriguez.html

New rewards offered for information on Briant Rodriguez kidnappers
By Stacia Glenn
Posted: 05/18/2009 05:45:33 PM PDT


The FBI is offering two $10,000 rewards in exchange for information leading to the arrests of two men accused of kidnapping 3-year-old Briant Rodriguez.
Investigators today named Liberato Vega, 30, and Israel Ledesma Moreno, 28, as fugitives in the May 3 abduction of the San Bernardino boy.

The fugitives, who are possibly hiding in Mexico, are accused of tying up Briant's family and ransacking the home before threatening to take the boy to Mexico and kill him.

Briant was found alone Thursday, wandering the streets of border town Mexicali. He was reunited with his mother, Rosana Millan, Saturday afternoon. Investigators today said the boy remains hospitalized because he is fatigued and slightly malnourished. He does not appear to have suffered any physical injuries, though his captors lopped off his curly brown hair.

Vega and Moreno are originally from Mexico though they have claimed addresses in Ontario for years. Each suspect has misdemeanor charges in this area and has been deported at least once.

Anyone with information on the suspects' whereabouts is asked to call the FBI at (310) 477-6565.

http://**/breakingnews/ci_12397965