By Andy Sevilla.
Three suspects in the kidnapping of a woman and her four-year-old child in broad daylight in San Marcos have eluded police since the Nov. 6 incident. Authorities released composite sketches of the men on Monday and are asking for the public’s help in locating them.
The composites of the three suspects were developed with the help from the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) and the Texas Rangers.
The female victim suffered non-life threatening injuries during the attack in which she was kidnapped, beaten and strangled, according to San Marcos Police. The woman was also sexually assaulted and left unconscious in the car with her child. Police said the child did not suffer any injuries.
Investigators are following numerous leads, as tips on the case continue to trickle into the police department San Marcos Police Commander Penny Dunn said in a statement. Investigators hope the release of the composite drawings will help develop further tips on the suspects.
“It has taken us time to work with the victim as she recovered from injuries and this traumatic incident and the DPS forensic artist to complete these composite sketches,” Dunn said.
The kidnapping occurred just before noon on Nov. 6 on the east end of McKie Street approaching the southbound I-35 access road, near a heavily vegetated low water crossing.
The victim was driving on McKie Street when her vehicle was bumped on the rear bumper by another vehicle, according to police. When the woman exited her car to check for damage, a man forced her into the backseat of her own vehicle, as a second man got into the driver’s seat and took off. A third suspect followed behind in an older model, maroon colored GMC truck with peeling paint.
Dunn said the woman’s head was covered and she was taken to an unknown location where she was sexually assaulted, strangled and eventually lost consciousness. The unconscious woman and her child were left in her car on the roadside outside of San Marcos, police say.
Once the victim regained consciousness, though disoriented, she was able to make it to her home where the Kyle Police Department (KPD) was called and Emergency Medical Services were summoned.
KPD, along with San Marcos Police, Hays County Sheriff’s Office, DPS, Austin Regional Intelligence Center (ARIC), Texas Rangers and the Texas Department of Pardons, Paroles and Probation are assisting with the investigation and working through leads and tips on the case.
Authorities ask anyone with information or anyone that recognizes the suspects to call the San Marcos Police Department Criminal Investigation Division at (512) 753-2300. SMPD can also be reached after 5 p.m. at (512) 753-2108 and Crime Stoppers can be called at (512) 353-TIPS (8477).
Police have released the following descriptions of the suspects:
Suspect 1: Hispanic male, possible nickname “Dago,” late 30s to early 40s, medium olive complexion, 6 feet tall, stocky build, shaved or bald head, dark eyes, small goatee, possible diamond stud earring in left ear, tattoos of crosses on left and right forearms, wearing white shirt with blue trim and blue jeans.
Suspect 2: Hispanic male, possible nickname of “Chico,” 18-20 years old, light olive complexion, 5’8” to 5’10” tall, thin build, closely cropped black hair, dark eyes with long eyelashes, slightly protruding ears, possible diamond stud earring in left ear, tattoo of cursive writing at base of neck, wearing loose fitting white t-shirt and blue jeans.
Suspect 3: Hispanic male, late 30s, dark olive complexion, 5’6” to 5’7” tall, medium build, thick arched eyebrows, slight acne scars, hair styled into a “faux-hawk,” wearing gray t-shirt and blue jeans.
