A Mexican businessman who was kidnapped for ransom in Chula Vista in June testified in court yesterday in a second day of preliminary hearings. Eduardo Gonzalez Tostado was held for nine days before the FBI rescued him and arrested five of his alleged captors. Law enforcement officials believe the alleged kidnappers are part of a kidnap and murder ring with cross border ties. KPBS Reporter Amy Isackson has more.
Gonzalez told the court a beautiful woman named Nancy lured him to a Chula Vista home with the promise of drinks. But Gonzalez says instead, he was attacked by four men in police uniforms, tasered, handcuffed and locked in a closet.
The six defendants are believed to belong to a gang that targets members of Tijuana's Arellano Felix drug cartel. Gonzalez says he's not tied to the cartel. However, one of the alleged kidnapper's defense attorney's, Guadalupe Valencia, tried to show otherwise. Valencia asked Gonzalez if a suspected high-ranking cartel member once bought him a racecar. This is how Gonzalez responded.
Gonzalez: I have seen him only in Ensenada. Did you talk to him? No. I have seen his face. But you never talked to him? You cannot talk to people like that.
Gonzalez says he knew his kidnappers had targeted him for three weeks before they got him. Valencia asked Gonzalez if he didn't go to the police immediately, because he was afraid the police would investigate him. Gonzalez said no.
Prosecutors say Gonzalez was targeted for his money.
Amy Isackson, KPBS News.
