Amber Alert: 6-Month-Old Santa Barbara Girl Found in San Diego

UPDATE at 10:43 p.m.: A 6-month-old girl who was the subject of an Amber Alert was found safe in San Diego tonight and her 28-year-old suspected kidnapper was taken into custody without incident, authorities said.

Joshua Ivan Martinez allegedly kidnapped Nayeli Martinez about 9 p.m. Sunday in Santa Barbara and drove off with her in a black 2013 Ford Focus four- door with temporary dealer license plates reading Garcia Auto Sales, authorities said.

Police located Martinez by “pinging” his cellphone phone and determined he was in the San Diego area, authorities said.

A San Diego Police Department SWAT team took Martinez into custody, Santa Barbara Police Department Sgt. Eric Beecher said.

Martinez’s relationship to the baby, if any, was not immediately disclosed.

Original post:

An Amber Alert was issued today in connection with the abduction of a 6-month-old girl in Santa Barbara.

Joshua Ivan Martinez, 28, allegedly kidnapped 6-month-old Nayeli Martinez about 9 p.m. Sunday and drove off with her in a black 2013 Ford Focus four-door with temporary dealer license plates reading “Garcia Auto Sales.”

The suspect’s relationship to the baby, if any, was not immediately disclosed.

Anyone who sees Martinez or his car was asked to call the Santa Barbara Police Department at (805) 897-2410.

--City News Service

PHOTO Courtesy the California Highway Patrol.