Kidnapping Investigation Leads To Marijuana Operations: RivCo

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA — An investigation into kidnapping led to the discovery of nearly 2,000 pounds of processed marijuana, guns and cash at three homes near Perris, the Riverside County Sheriff's Department reported.

The investigation began Thursday morning after deputies began looking into a report of a kidnapping for ransom. According to the sheriff's department, the victim attempted to purchase a large quantity of marijuana and was kidnapped.

As the investigation unfolded, the victim was rescued and four Perris residents were arrested. Nicolas Hernandez Villasenor, 31, Miguel Mora Reyes, 20, Huber Colima Saucedo, 25, and Israel Meza Valerio, 35, were nabbed during a traffic stop at Wilkerson Avenue and 4th Street in Perris; all were booked on suspicion of kidnapping, according to the sheriff's department.

In connection with the kidnapping, around 4:30 p.m. that same day search warrants were served at two homes in the 30000 block of Allen Road in Homeland. More than 1,400 marijuana plants and harmful chemicals were found, the sheriff's department reported.

Within a half hour of the first raids, deputies served a search warrant at a home in the 100 block of Midway Street in Perris. Eight guns, cash and more than 475 pounds of processed marijuana were found there, according to the sheriff's department.

Antelmo Villa, 29, of Perris was arrested at the Midway Street address and later booked in connection with the kidnapping, the sheriff's department said.