Police Suspect Missing San Jose Teenager Was Kidnapped
SAN JOSE (KCBS) - A teenage girl last seen leaving her high school in South San Jose with her boyfriend a week ago may have been kidnapped, according to the San Jose Police Department.
Sgt. Jason Dwyer said police originally treated the disappearance of 15-year-old Raquel Menchaca as a missing persons case until evidence emerged that she may have been taken against her will.
Menchaca left Oak Grove High School on Jan. 5 with her boyfriend, 19-year-old Leonel Vargas of Stockton. Her parents reported her missing the next day when she did not return home.
Dwyer said Menchaca could be as far away as Madera, Stockton or Ukiah, places where Vargas has family and friends.
"We have not ruled out the possibility that she is there on her own free volition," Dwyer said.
A $250,000 arrest warrant has been issued for Vargas and for the suspected
kidnapping and assault with a deadly weapon for running over his girlfriend's father's foot with the car, police said.
Menchaca is described as 5 feet 6 inches tall and about 90 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes. Vargas has black hair and brown eyes with a medium complexion, according to police.
Menchaca and Vargas drove away from the school in his 2-door, gold Toyota Solara with a California license plate, 5HBX454, Dwyer said.
Anyone with information about this case or the victim's whereabouts is encouraged to call San Jose Detective Sgt. Chris Wilson or Detective Raul Corral at (408) 277-4166. Those who wish to remain anonymous can call the Silicon Valley Crime Stoppers at (408) 947-STOP (7867) or visit
svcrimestoppers.org.
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