Ark City Police investigate July 6 Attempted Kidnapping, Vehicle Theft
Mike Seals - July 7, 2020 10:52 pm
Warrant issued for Castellanos Mesa after he allegedly stole victim’s minivan
ARKANSAS CITY, KS — The Arkansas City Police Department is investigating an attempted kidnapping that occurred Monday, ending with the suspect stealing the victim’s car to flee.
Police initially were dispatched Monday afternoon for a report of a disturbance in a vehicle northbound from the intersection of 15th Street and Radio Lane.
At 4:38 p.m., Cowley County Emergency Communications received a call from a citizen who reported that a woman was injured and out of a vehicle in the area south of 252nd Road and 51st Road.
An officer arrived and learned a 27-year-old Arkansas City woman had been involved in the disturbance, after which a male suspect had fled in the woman’s vehicle.
The female victim was transported from the scene by the Arkansas City Fire-EMS Department to South Central Kansas Medical Center for further treatment.
Investigators later learned that the suspect, identified as Loengrys Castellanos Mesa, 35, of Grand Island, Nebraska,Castellanos Mesa had entered the woman’s van unlawfully and hid until he reportedly attacked her.
The initial incident took place within the city limits of Arkansas City and then moved north, out of the city limits, where the woman was able to attempt to flee her attacker. She suffered injuries in the attempt, but was successful in reaching safety. Castellanos Mesa then allegedly fled the scene in her car.
Officers were able to identify the suspect quickly and placed notifications to other law enforcement agencies to be on the lookout for the suspect and the victim’s vehicle, a silver Toyota Sienna minivan.
Cowley County District Court today issued an arrest warrant for Loengrys Castellanos Mesa on suspicion of aggravated battery, aggravated burglary of a motor vehicle, aggravated kidnapping, aggravated robbery, battery-domestic violence, criminal threat, stalking and theft. The bond set for the warrant is listed at $250,000.
“There is no immediate threat to the community. The suspect is known to the victim,” Capt. Eric Burr, of the Arkansas City Police Department, said of the incident. “We truly appreciate the citizens who rendered aid to the victim and reported the incident. We would ask that anyone with information on Castellanos Mesa’s whereabouts please call their local law enforcement agency.”
Anyone with information about this incident may contact the Arkansas City Police Department at (620) 441-4444.
Those wishing to remain anonymous also may contact Cowley County Crime Stoppers, which offers rewards of up to $2,500 for information leading to an arrest.
Call (620) 442-7777 in Arkansas City or (620) 221-7777 in Winfield, or visit www.tipsubmit.com or accs.crimestoppersweb.com to make an anonymous report.
An anonymous tip also can be submitted by texting ACTIPS to 847411.
