Denver police turned their weekly "Mug Shot Monday" post into a full-on manhunt this week, sharing booking photos of three people they say are wanted on kidnapping warrants and asking the public to help spot them.
The social media post from the Denver Police Department includes mugshots, names, birthdates and brief physical descriptions for 21-year-old Dragan Antonescu, 40-year-old Marioara Ilie and 49-year-old Viorel Ilie, along with details such as height, weight and eye and hair color. The department notes that the alert "will expire upon confirmation of a suspect's booking," so the notice is meant to move quickly.
Background: The City of Industry Abduction
The three names first hit the public radar after an alleged abduction last September in City of Industry, California, when authorities said a 1-year-old was taken from his mother in a Target parking lot and an Amber Alert was issued. The child was later found in Winslow, Arizona, and law enforcement arrested three adults. Prosecutors said at the time that they would review the case for possible kidnapping and assault charges, according to ABC7.
How To Tip
Denver police are asking anyone who recognizes the individuals or has information on their whereabouts to contact Metro Denver Crime Stoppers. Tips can be submitted anonymously through the Metro Denver Crime Stoppers online form or by calling 720-913-STOP (7867). The Crime Stoppers number and tip link are also included in the department's Facebook post as a reminder that people can weigh in without giving their names.
Legal Context
Los Angeles County sheriff's officials have said the City of Industry case would be presented to the county district attorney's office for consideration of charges that could include kidnapping and assault with a deadly weapon. The earlier response involved coordination with Arizona authorities and child welfare agencies after the child's recovery, and any new developments in Colorado would follow standard extradition and charging procedures, according to reporting by the Los Angeles Times.
Hoodline previously covered the September recovery and related arrests in a story about how the child was safely recovered in Arizona. Police advise that anyone who believes they see one of the wanted individuals should call 911 immediately rather than approach or submit an anonymous tip to Metro Denver Crime Stoppers.
