Sacramento Police Arrest 3 Suspects On Kidnapping Charges
SACRAMENTO (CBS13) - It's a tangled web that investigators were able to unravel, all thanks to a cell phone video.
Police say a trio is responsible for kidnapping, robbing and beating a young girl.
They allegedly held her against her will for two days straight.
"These adults did beat up this 14-year-old," said Sgt. Andrew Pettit of Sacramento Police Department.
"I'm just devastated," said neighbor Willie Coleman.
Neighbors near 38th Avenue and Girabaldi Street in Sacramento were shocked to learn one of the accused suspects, David Savala, lives on their street.
Police say the 14-year-old was at a party with friends when Savala and the two others snatched her from the home.
Investigators say the girl was repeatedly beaten and tortured for days.
Was she the target of human trafficking, going through the brutal process of breaking her spirit for prostitution?
"Can't really comment on that aspect," said Pettit.
After two days, the girl was able to make her escape, but police say it was months later they were able to connect the trio to the kidnapping.
While conducting a random probation search at Savala's home, they were surprised with what they found on his cell phone.
Police tell CBS13 they had no idea the suspect had anything to do with the 14-year-old girl until they checked his cell phone. There, they say, they found video of her being beaten.
"In his possession, he had video of the missing person being beaten by several other people," said Pettit.
CBS13 asked some ladies about the video who may know Savala, but they didn't want to talk.
Police say because a juvenile is involved they can't release a lot of details about the motivation for the kidnapping and beating.
But we do know that Savala has a long criminal history of violence.
All three suspects are also facing child endangerment charges.
