2 arrested in kidnapping of Garner mom, baby girl later found safe in Wake Forest, police say
GARNER, N.C. (WTVD) -- Two people have been arrested in connection with the kidnapping of a woman and her child, Garner Police said Tuesday night.
The mother and baby girl were found safe Tuesday morning in Wake Forest after being abducted from their home, Garner Police said.
Paola Duran Duran, 25, was arrested and charged with two counts of first-degree kidnapping and one count of second-degree kidnapping. Miguel Angel Duran Duran, 23, was also arrested and faces the same charges.
Officers responded just before 11 p.m. to the reported kidnapping. They were told that three armed people wearing masks forced their way into a home on Buck Branch Drive in Garner and demanded money -- reportedly $1 million. When they didn't get any cash, the suspects tied up the husband with duct tape and took his wife and 11-month-old daughter. The husband described the getaway vehicle as a black Nissan Altima.
Police activated an AMBER Alert for the child.
Shortly after 7 a.m., a Wake Forest resident called 911 and stated that a woman with a baby came to her home saying she needed help. The Wake County Sheriff's Office responded and confirmed that the mother and child were the victims involved in the AMBER Alert.
EMS evaluated the woman and baby, who were not harmed during the incident.
Despite the arrests, the Garner Police Department, SBI, and FBI are still actively investigating. GPD told ABC11 that the FBI was called in to assist with the investigation because of the broader range of resources the agency has at its disposal.
The search continues for the third suspect, Garner Police told ABC11.
Retired deputy sheriff Michael Smith lives across the street from the victim's home. He and his wife were awakened just before midnight after Garner Police knocked on his front door. Smith told them he saw the suspect's vehicle around 2:30 Monday afternoon near the victim's house.
"They pulled up yonder for a little while. And they just parked for a while. And I kind of kept an eye on them and figured that car was kind of new for the neighborhood," Smith said. "And next thing you know, about 20 minutes later, I seen them all just pull off."
Smith described the neighborhood as 'working class and quiet' and said he was shocked this could happen on his block.
"Everybody kind of minds their own business, works all day. And add something like this into it - kidnapping. That's a whole new ball game," he said. "It was a bad situation. But I'm glad to know that things are kind of working out for the woman and the little baby."
In a release, GPD said, "The Garner Police Department is thankful these victims were recovered safely. We appreciate the support of our community as we work tirelessly to arrest the suspects responsible and uncover the motive behind this crime."
Anyone with information regarding this case is asked to please call the Garner Police Department immediately at (919) 772-8810, or call 911 or* HP.
