Man Arrested On Suspicion Of Kidnapping Convenience Store Clerk In South LA
SOUTH LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — A 29-year-old man was arrested Thursday after allegedly kidnapping a woman from the convenience store where she worked in South Los Angeles.
Jose Cado was taken into custody Wednesday night following a massive search and a short police chase, police said.
Security video captured Cado dragging a 28-year-old woman by her arms outside of the convenience store, where he proceeded to push and shove her into his vehicle.
As the woman was being dragged out of the store, she attempted to alert a passing mailman to her predicament by hooking her leg onto his. The mailman, however, didn't appear to take note and didn't take any action.
The mailman told CBS2's Dave Lopez on Thursday that the woman wasn't screaming for help, and so he assumed the assailant and victim were acquaintances or in a relationship.
The victim, however, told the store owner that she had been screaming for help.
"Help me, help me. I don't know this guy," the victim screamed, according to the store owner, who asked to remain anonymous.
The mailman replied, "You two are in love. I'm not getting involved," according to the store owner.
After Cado shoved the woman into the passenger seat of the car, she attempted to free herself. At that point, Cado allegedly struck her with a hammer several times. After two more attempts, the woman got free of her assailant.
She asked a passing motorist for help, but the man drove away, saying he didn't want to get involved, the store owner.
However, two women who had observed the assault from their car took a photo of the car's license plate and sent it to the police. That information led to Cado's arrest, the LAPD said.
After freeing herself, the victim ran to a cemetery where she was able to find three women to come to her aid and was taken to a hospital to be evaluated.
According to police, Cado threatened the victim's family at one point before the alleged kidnapping took place.