A Texas couple was kidnapped at gunpoint by two suspects who broke into their home and “forced” them into a white SUV in front of their five young children.
The parents – identified by friends as Samantha Esquivel-Zuniga, 38, and Ricky Zuniga, 37 – were ambushed at their home in Mission Bell on Wednesday morning, the Daily Mail reported.
“The suspect kicked in the door, entered the home, took the two adults, and fled the scene,” San Antonio Police Officer Ricardo Guzman told ABC 13.
Police said they arrived at the residence after a call at about 6 a.m. to find the couple’s children – all under the age of 17 – unharmed.
“We found five teenagers in the house. There were no injuries, they were not hurt,” said Guzman.
The children told police their parents were taken by an unknown suspect who loaded the couple into a white SUV before driving away, police told KENS 5.
No motive for the kidnapping has been released.
As authorities searched for the parents, friends and family took to social media to express hope for their safe return.
The kidnapped couple were identified online as Samantha Esquivel-Zuniga, 38, and Ricky Zuniga, 37. Mujer Fiera / Facebook
San Antonio police said they received a call about the kidnapping around 6 a.m. Wednesday. KSAT 12 / Youtube
“Please everyone in the name of Jesus Christ we need prayers for my family/best friend Ricky and Samantha Zuniga! We all need them to come home safely!” Ida DeLeon wrote on Facebook.
“This morning it’s so hard to believe that this is actually happening! My heart breaks for you and the kids! Please God, bring them home safe and sound for their children especially.”
John Garcia Jr. also begged his Facebook followers, “Man if anyone knows ANYTHING LEAVE US [KNOW]no rest until the two of them, Ricky and Samantha Esquivel-Zuniga come home.
Authorities say they were abducted in front of their five young children. Mujer Fiera / Facebook
“Lord, I have come to You less than a few times in my life for something I really loved or needed, but here, PLEASE IN THE NAME OF YOUR SON JESUS protect my brothers and just bring them home.”
He later wrote: “I [know] all your stories don’t end like this, not the king’s way! So I’m just patiently waiting for that phone call.”
“We don’t know where they were taken, and the police and the FBI are investigating,” a woman who goes by Mujer Fiera wrote on Facebook, identifying herself as Samantha’s cousin.
It is not clear what happened to the child after the kidnapping. Mujer Fiera / Facebook
“Growing up, he was my neighbor and the one who called me ‘Sweetheart,'” Fiera said.
“I was part of the crew that welcomed him home as a baby and made it my goal to be part of his care team.
“She has grown up to be a fierce young woman, raising her five children and younger sister.
“She is an amazing survivor, and I pray that she will be able to return home safely to her baby soon.”
San Antonio police said the kidnapping appears to be an “isolated” incident, although the motive remains unclear.KSAT 12 / Youtube
San Antonio police are asking neighbors to turn over any surveillance footage that could reveal more about the kidnappers and where they fled.
“Detectives are investigating this incident as a kidnapping and the investigation is ongoing,” Guzman told the San Antonio Express-News.
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
