By Sarah Stephens
Elmore Autauga News
The Elmore County Sheriff’s Office is investigating an attempting kidnapping, where a Hispanic man in the United States illegally reportedly attempted to coerce a young girl into his vehicle on New Year’s Eve.
According to Sheriff Bill Franklin, around 5:40 p.m. in the parking lot of the Boy’s Store in Holtville, a 17-year-old female was attempting to move a buggy. She was approached by a Hispanic man, later identified as Yordy Noe Centeno-Melchor, 31, who told investigators he lives in a trailer in Wetumpka.
He was driving a black Mitsubishi SUV and showed her something on his phone, Franklin said. “He told her to get into the vehicle.”
Because of the language barrier, the girl could not understand everything he was saying as she stood by the car.
A passerby noticed the girl looking confused and walked over to her. When he approached the individual she was talking to, the suspect got back into his vehicle and fled the scene.
The owner of the Boy’s store assisted the sheriff’s office investigators in retrieving video footage of the incident.
“We were able to determine it was in fact a black Mitsubishi and displayed a Texas tag. We ran that tag and put out a Be On Look Out (BOLO). Our investigative division worked with patrol and put the BOLO out across the River Region,” Sheriff Franklin said.
Franklin said that this afternoon, Clanton Police officers located the vehicle, stopped it and detained the driver. He was taken into custody for investigative detention, and he is being held at the Elmore County Jail.
A positive identification was made, Franklin said.
“He (the suspect) has been questioned and he does place himself there at the store during this time. He admits to that. His account of what happened is something different. He is saying he was just talking about fireworks, but our victim said that is not true.”
The sheriff’s department contacted ICE (Immigration Customs and Enforcement) and learned that this particular subject has been deported five times but has continued to cross back into the United States illegally.
“We are not aware of the reasoning for ICE deporting him each time, but we are trying to learn that from ICE. We are working on that now.
Franklin said investigators have been able to learn multiple areas where the suspect has been including Texas, Wetumpka, Autauga County, Pelham and Shelby County. The suspect told investigators he is a self-employed construction worker.
The suspect, Centeno-Melchor, is currently charged with attempted kidnapping second degree and ICE has been notified. Bonds will be secured tomorrow, Franklin said.
“We always tell people you cannot put a price on being aware of your surroundings. If you are in a parking lot and going to your car, always have your keys in your hand and be ready to use them. You never want to approach a car and fumble with your keys, to take time to find them or get the door open. And when you get in the car, immediately lock your door.”
Franklin also cautioned anyone to walk with confidence, and be constantly aware of what and who is around you at all times. If you feel uncomfortable, get back into a public space and ask for help.
Sheriff Franklin said if anyone out there has had a similar situation, perhaps with this subject or anyone else, to please contact their local law enforcement agency.
“Sometimes I watch or read the news I think about what other people are going through with this kind of stuff. But you just do not expect anything like this to happen here. Fortunately, no one was injured and someone stepped in when they felt something didn’t look right in this situation at least,” Franklin said, adding the store patron’s actions could have stopped any number of potential crimes.
