3 suspects set to appear in federal court in January for Garner kidnapping case

GARNER, N.C. (WTVD) -- Three suspects indicted in a Garner home invasion and kidnapping case earlier this year are scheduled to appear in federal court in January.

On April 29, three armed people wearing masks allegedly forced their way into a home on Buck Branch Drive, demanding $1 million. When the demand was not met, they tied up the homeowner with duct tape and abducted his wife and baby girl at gunpoint. The victims were later found safe several hours later.

On October 7, a grand jury charged Paola Duran Duran, Miguel Duran Duran, and Leo Estrada Hernandez with aiding and abetting in the kidnapping and holding the victims for ransom. Hernandez, who was deported in October 2023, had a prior conviction for meth trafficking in Wake County in 2020.

Court documents reveal new details about the case, including the victim's belief that the crime was not random, as the suspects knew his name and a family nickname while demanding $1 million. The documents also state the three suspects previously worked together and allegedly planned the "job" for $100,000. However, the FBI has not confirmed these claims and continues investigating the motive.