Manhunt Monday 02/22/10: Ricardo Puentes Morales

The MANHUNT continues for RICARDO PUENTES MORALES wanted for an Aggravated Kidnapping which occurred in Horizon City, TX in September 2009. On September 3, 2009 at 3:40 PM, Detectives from the El Paso County Sheriff?s Office Crimes Against Person Section were summoned by the Horizon Police Department to 14327 Desert Sunset, Horizon City, in El Paso County, Texas, regarding an Aggravated Kidnapping. The victim, identified as Sergio Saucedo (30), was forcibly taken from his residence at gun point. Mr. Saucedo was later found murdered in Juarez, Mexico.

On November 6 2009 a warrant was obtained for RICARDO PUENTES MORALES for Aggravated Kidnapping with a 1.5 million dollar bond. MORALES continues to elude capture as investigator?s continue to look for him. It is believed RICARDO PUENTES MORALES orchestrated the Kidnapping. On Tuesday February 16th a warrant for Aggravated Kidnapping was obtained for Cesar Obregon. The very next day, February 17, 2010, his brother Omar Obregon was spotted by a Border Patrol Agent with Cesar Obregon attempting to enter a home illegally. Both brothers were detained by Border Patrol it was then discovered that there was an arrest warrant for Cesar Obregon for the Aggravated Kidnapping of Sergio Saucedo. It was later discovered Cesar?s Brother Omar was also involved.

Border Patrol subsequently turned over the Obregon brothers to Sheriff Officials for further investigation. Both Obregon brothers were later booked into the El Paso County Jail on Aggravated Kidnapping charges under a $250,000 each. A short time later, Sheriff?s Office Investigator?s obtained an arrest warrant for a 4th man involved in the Aggravated Kidnapping who was identified as Rafael Vega.

Sheriff?s Detectives were hot on his trail closing in on him when he decided to turn himself in early Saturday morning 02/20, when he surrendered to EPPD Officers at Central Regional Command. Vega was taken into custody without incident & was turned over to Sheriff?s Officials a short time later. Vega was booked into the El Paso County Detention Facility for the offense of Aggravated Kidnapping under a $250,000 BOND.

RICARDO PUENTES MORALES remains the lone fugitive at large. He has recently been spotted in the Tornillo, TX / Fabens, TX areas. MORALES has several contacts in the borderland & continues to elude capture.

Sheriff?s Investigators are urging the public – if anyone has seen or has any information on the whereabouts of RICARDO PUENTES MORALES to please contact the Sheriff?s Office (915) 546-2280 or Crime Stoppers of El Paso at 566-TIPS (8477). Callers will remain anonymous & may be eligible for a reward if the information provided leads to the apprehension of the individuals featured.

FUGITIVE INFORMATION:

NAME: MORALES , RICARDO PUENTES (25)

DOB: 06-09-84

HEIGHT: 5?7?

WEIGHT: 160 lbs.

HAIR: Black

EYES: Brown

BUILD: Medium

COMPLEXION: Medium

PLACE OF BIRTH: Mexico

WANTED FOR:

AGGRAVATED KIDNAPPING – $1,500,000 BOND