‘Person of interest’ in kidnapping of South Asian family of four in California in custody (updates)

Photos: Merced County Sheriff's Office

WEDNESDAY NIGHT UPDATE:

Four members of the kidnapped South Asian family in California found deceased (update)

 

 

WEDNESDAY MORNING PRESS CONFERENCE:

https://fb.watch/fZxBooh7Su/

 

 

TUESDAY AFTERNOON UPDATE: Suspect in custody

According to the Merced County Sheriff’s Office’s Facebook page:

UPDATE:
“It was determined that the photo of the person at the ATM was not the person of interest that is in custody. The victim’s ATM card was used, however, we are working with the bank to obtain the correct photo.”
[That photo has been removed from the Merced County Sheriff’s Office’s Facebook page – and from this website – Editor]
——————————————————————————————–
On October 4, in the morning hours, Merced County Sheriff detectives received information that one of the victim’s ATM cards was used at an ATM located at a bank in the City of Atwater. Investigators obtained the surveillance photo of a subject making a bank transaction where the person is similar in appearance to the surveillance photo from the original kidnapping scene.
At approximately noon, working in conjunction with their local law enforcement partners, the Sheriff’s Office received information that identified Jesus Manuel Salgado (48) as a person of interest in this investigation. Prior to law enforcement involvement, Salgado attempted to take his own life. Salgado is in police custody, currently receiving medical attention and in critical condition.
The Sheriff’s Office with the help of several law enforcement agencies continues to actively look for the eight-month-old Aroohi Dheri, her parents Jasleen Kaur (27) and Jasdeep Singh (36) and her uncle Amandeep Singh (39) who have not been found.
Investigators continue to follow up on all leads and are working diligently to find the family. Police continue to ask for the public’s help with any information that may assist them in locating the family’s whereabouts. If you have any information regarding this incident or the whereabouts of the victims, you are requested to call the tip line at 209.385.7547. The tip can be confidential.
Photos of ‘person of interest’:

 

 

EARLIER STORY:

 

CALIFORNIA’S Merced County Sheriff’s Office on Monday issued an appeal asking the public’s help in locating four missing persons who were kidnapped from the South Merced Area of the county.

The sheriff’s office said on its Facebook page that detectives were looking for eight-month-old Aroohi Dheri.  Detectives believe that Aroohi and her mother Jasleen Kaur (27) and father Jasdeep Singh (36) were taken against their will from a business in the 800-block of South Highway 59.  The baby’s uncle, Amandeep Singh (39), was also taken against his will with the other family members.

The sheriff’s office also released images of the suspected kidnapper, saying: “We believe this to be the suspect in today’s kidnapping. He is described as a light-complected male with a shaved head. He was last seen wearing a hoodie. We consider the suspect to be armed and dangerous. If you see this person, please call 9.1.1. and do not approach him or the victims. We’re asking that anyone with information regarding the identity of this suspect to contact the Merced County Sheriff’s Office Investigations Bureau at 209.385.7445.”

The suspect

 

ON Tuesday, the sheriff’s office released an update on its Facebook page, stating that on October 3 at approximately 11:39 a.m., the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) Madera-Mariposa-Merced was dispatched to Buhach Road and Oakdale Road in Winton for a report of a vehicle on fire. The vehicle was later identified to be a black 2020 Dodge Ram truck.

It said: “The California Highway Patrol – Merced arrived on scene to start the investigation. At approximately 12:35 p.m., California Highway Patrol requested the assistance of Merced Police Department in an attempt to contact the registered owner of the vehicle, Amandeep Singh. When the Merced Police Department arrived at the residence, they were not able to make contact with Amandeep, however, they were able to reach another family member.

“The family members attempted to contact Jasleen Kaur, Jasdeep Singh, and Amandeep Singh. When they were not able to reach their family members, they called the Merced County Sheriff’s Office to report Jasleen, Jasdeep, Amandeep, and 8-month-old Aroohi missing.

“At approximately 1:04 p.m., our Office was notified and responded to a business on South Highway 59. During the primary investigation, detectives determined that the individuals were kidnapped. We are working with the California Department of Justice, the Federal Bureau of Investigations and other local law enforcement agencies to bring this family home safely.

“If you have any information regarding this incident or the whereabouts of this family, please call our tip line at 209.385.7547. Your tip can be confidential.”

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