Authorities search for Farmersville kidnapping suspects

TULARE COUNTY (KFSN) -- Tulare County sheriff's deputies are looking for several armed and dangerous men Monday. They're accused of carrying out a kidnapping for ransom in late September, but the victim is safe.

The day-long nightmare began just before dawn on an undisclosed road in Farmersville. Deputies said men with guns approached and then kidnapped a 38-year-old victim, forcing him into a car at gunpoint.

"The victim's family started receiving phone calls requesting ransom money in exchange for his release," Sgt. Joe Torres with the Tulare County Sheriff's Office said.

Investigators believe three men were involved, all of them armed and dangerous. They said the family, too shaken to call 911, agreed to the suspects' demands.

"They threatened the person that had been kidnapped and also the gentleman that paid the money that they would kill the family and the victim if the ransom money was not paid," Torres said.

The victim said he doesn't know the suspects but deputies believe the family must have been targeted because, in the end, they paid a large amount of ransom money somewhere in Lindsay.

"It is unusual," Torres said. "And that is why this case is so serious."

Officers already arrested one of the men, Gerardo Antonio Reyes, in Arizona but they need help identifying and finding two other suspects. Deputies said they could be hiding anywhere. Their only clues right now are their faces captured on surveillance videos.

The suspects are considered armed and dangerous anyone with information is encouraged to call Detective Ramos and/or Sergeant Torres with the Tulare County Sheriff's Office at (559) 733-6218 or send anonymous information by sending a text or email to TCSO@tipnow.com or call (559) 725-4194.