SAN ANTONIO – A 30-year-old man wanted in connection to a kidnapping case was arrested Friday afternoon by U.S. marshals in San Antonio, authorities said.
An arrest warrant was issued in regards to an investigation by the San Antonio Police Department, where it is alleged Christopher Perez committed aggravated kidnapping.
On July 8, Perez, 24-year-old Vanessa Luna and 22-year-old Juan Lachel were allegedly involved in luring a San Antonio man to Corpus Christi after the man responded to an online ad.
Reports stated the man drove to Corpus Christi and met with Luna in a hotel room. While in the hotel room, the man was attacked, tortured and robbed by Perez and Lachel, who were lying in wait in a closet, according to U.S. marshals.
The man was tied up and driven to San Antonio, where he was tortured further. Authorities said the man was held captive for several days until he managed to escape and notify police.
On July 12, warrants were issued for the arrest of Lachel, Luna and Perez on the charge of aggravated kidnapping. U.S. marshals said Luna and Lachel were arrested days later, but Perez remained a fugitive until he was arrested Friday.
Members of the U.S. Marshals Service Lone Star Fugitive Task Force began an investigation on July 30 in finding and arresting Perez.
According to U.S. marshals, authorities determined Perez was hiding out in a motel room located in the 5600 block of OId Highway 90 West on the southwest side of San Antonio.
Officers entered the motel room, identified themselves and took Perez into custody without incident. Authorities said officers also arrested another fugitive who had an outstanding warrant for felon in possession of a firearm.
"This victim survived a horrific experience that could have potentially left him for dead," said Robert R. Almonte, U.S. marshal for the Western District of Texas. "His will to survive, opportunity to escape and report to SAPD detectives are what helped our task force officers bring closure to this case."
Lachel, Luna and Perez are currently being held in custody at the Bexar County Sheriff's Office, authorities said.