America’s Missing Broadcast Emergency Response – AMBER Alert

***2nd UPDATE***

On July 5, 2009, at approximately 5:35 p.m., Robbery Homicide Detectives following up on information they had received, went to the area of 15th Street and Pacific Avenue in the City of Long Beach.  Recognizing Samos from his photo, as he was preparing to leave the area, Officer’s moved in and rescued the four children.  Samos attempted to run from Officer’s with a gun in his hand, and ran directly toward Detectives.  One Detective fired at Samos, hitting him once.  Samos was transported to a local hospital in stable condition and is expected to survive.  It is unclear and  still under investigation whether there was an exchange of gunfire between Samos and the Detective.  Samos is facing a variety of charges.  The children are being reunited with family members and were in good condition.
***UPDATE***

Detectives have released the identification of the suspect, Angel Samos.  America’s Missing Broadcast Emergency Response

Los Angeles:   The Los Angeles Police Department’s Robbery Homicide Division is investigating the kidnapping of four children.

On Saturday, July 4, 2009, at 2:30 p.m., a 29-year-old male Hispanic, sexually assaulted his ex-girlfriend at gun point in South Los Angles.  The suspect then fled with the victim and took her 11-year-old daughter and 6-year-old niece.  

Later in the evening, the suspect shot a 24-year-old female Hispanic at a gas station located at 45th and Avalon, as he attempted to steal her car.  The carjack victim was transported to a local hospital and listed in critical but stable condition.  During this shooting incident, the ex-girlfriend was able to escape from the suspect.  However, the suspect fled with the two children.  

He then contacted his mother and met with her at a liquor store in Long Beach.  During their meeting, the suspect took his mother’s vehicle and two additional children.  The suspect was last seen in a 1991 Toyota Previa, Gold/Brown, License Plate 5SEF614.

The suspect is described as standing 5’11, weighing 220 pounds, with black hair tied in a ponytail.  He was last seen wearing a red shirt, blue shorts, and red and white tennis shoes.

The Los Angeles Police Department needs the public’s help to locate the following children who were kidnapped yesterday:

1-year-old, Matthew Angel Samos, male Hispanic/Black, brown hair, brown eyes, 2’ tall, weighing 20 pounds.  Matthew was last seen wearing a white t-shirt, jeans and black shoes.
5-year-old, Jose Angel Diaz, male Hispanic/Black, brown hair, brown eyes, 4’6” tall, weighing 45-50 pounds.  Jose was last seen wearing a white t-shirt, jeans and a brown “Echo” sweater.
6-year-old, Ariyanna Denise Wade, female Hispanic/Black, brown hair with two pink braids, brown eyes, 4’2” tall, weighing 40 pounds.  Ariyanna was last seen wearing a white t-shirt and black pants.
11-year-old, Ashley Elizabeth Tathkran, female Hispanic/Black, brown hair with blond highlights, brown eyes, 4’4” tall, weighing 50 pounds.  Ashley was last seen wearing a green shirt and brown shorts.

Anyone with information about the whereabouts of the suspect and the children, are asked to call   9-1-1, or call Detective Arroyo at 213-485-2511.  After-hours and on weekends, calls may be directed to the Newton Area watch commander at 323-846-6553, or to a 24-hour, toll-free number at 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (527-3247).  Callers may also text “Crimes” with a cell phone or log on to www.lapdonline.org and click on Web tips.  When using a cell phone, all messages should begin with “LAPD.”  Tipsters may remain anonymous.