Kidnap car into the canal - Los Angeles Times

Reporting of Fresno -

Various research in the Delta Mendota Canal on Friday found the car used by a kidnapper, a boy of 4 years, attacked by the arms of his grandmother. The bodies were not in the vehicle.

All the evidence from tire tracks to an eyewitness, said that the money Toyota kidnappers José Esteban Rodriguez was in the channel. A farm worker who saw the car go into the channel told the police he was the air, and that two people - much smaller than the other - were inside. Investigators were careful not to prolong hope.

Nevertheless, the small town of Patterson was eagerly give a different explanation. Cardenas mother Juliani, Tabitha Cardenas said she was unaware her son into the canal. In the evening, candlelight vigils, prayed the people that would be returned Juliani.

"We are sad that we found the car, even if we knew we were going," Stanislaus County Sheriff Adam Christianson told reporters Friday.

Christianson said a search of the chain would probably again Monday, this time in search of the body. The car was found inserted into a trap where the canal is a tunnel under a river. Both front windows have been reported.

On January 18 fell Amparo Rodriguez Cardenas hit her and grabbed her arm Juliani.

Rodriguez, former boyfriend of Tabitha Cardenas, of the 8th Month is pregnant with his child was not Juliani biological father, even if the boy had once called Dad. Juliani cried as Rodriguez ran away with him, authorities said. Police said Rodriguez a record of violence and killings a.

Forty-five minutes later, the peasants saw a car go into the canal.

Section of the canal is a popular dumping site. Recovery teams pulled 13 other vehicles, most of them stolen, before the car they were seeking.

On Friday, the authorities lowered the water level of 10 meters to lead to rest and improve operating conditions for Sonar. Even with water falling, it was his dangerous for divers near the trap.

This is the car in the morning and it took workers in the evening.

Amparo Cardenas, the grandmother waits tables Damasco Fine Foods and Spirits, a main hub of the city, the Rotary Club organizes meetings.

"Everybody knows in Patterson. It is difficult and cute and everyone likes," said restaurant owner Steve Ceron.

"They were really the little boy. She took care of him all the time and always spoke to grow. The whole city is just silent today. If this is sad, there's nothing to say."

metrodesk@latimes.com