Suspect in 2009 Kidnapping Returned to S.B. County

A suspected kidnapper wanted in connection with a home invasion-style robbery of a San Bernardino family and kidnapping of that family’s 3-year-old son was recently arrested in Mexico and turned over to San Bernardino County Sheriff’s investigators, officials said today.

After more than two years on the run, Israel Ledesma-Moreno, 29, was taken into custody by Mexican authorities Jan. 13 on a Provisional Arrest Warrant issued by a Mexican Judge, sheriff’s officials said.

A second man wanted in connection with the same crime, Liberato Cardenas-Vega, also fled to Mexico. He was killed in the state of Sonora. Sheriff’s officials said his remains were identified by various forensic examinations.

Authorities say on May 3, 2009, Ledesma-Moreno and Cardenas-Vegas entered a home on Pedley Road, tied up the family and demanded money and property. The suspects took cash and property and kidnapped 3-year-old Briant Rodriguez.

On May 14, 2009, Briant was found wandering the streets alone in Mexicali, Mexico. He was unharmed, officials said.

State and Federal arrest warrants were obtained for both men. Authorities learned of Cardenas-Vega’s death in January 2010.

Ledesma-Moreno was arrested Jan. 13 of this year by FBI agents and Mexican authorities and returned today, officials said. He was booked into the Central Detention Center on suspicion of armed home invasion robbery and kidnapping. He is being held without bail.