Missouri Pair Accused of Kidnapping Teenager Arrested in East Palo Alto
Originally published 4-13-23
by the East Palo Alto Police Department:
“Today, April 13, 2023, a 15-year-old child who was kidnapped a week prior in St. Louis, Mo., has been safely located in the City of East Palo Alto, California. The swift action between two law enforcement agencies led to the apprehension of two suspects involved in this crime.
On April 7, 2023, the St. Louis Police Department received a report of a missing 15-year-old child who had been taken from their home. The investigation was immediately launched, involving multiple agencies working collaboratively to locate the victim and bring the perpetrators to justice.
Through diligent efforts and coordinated action, the East Palo Alto Police Department, in conjunction with the St. Louis Police Department and other law enforcement agencies, were able to track down the victim to a residence in East Palo Alto. Two suspects, ANTHONY MEDINA-LAGOS and JESSICA GOMESPAZ, both out of St. Louis MO., were arrested at the scene and are currently in custody, facing charges related to kidnapping and other offenses.
We are relieved to have located and apprehended the suspects. This outcome is a result of the tireless efforts of law enforcement agencies and Child Protective Services (CPS), who worked tirelessly around the clock to bring this child back to safety. We are grateful for the agencies’ strong partnership and cooperation that led to this successful outcome.
Children’s well-being and safety are paramount, and the East Palo Alto Police Department would like to thank the community for their support and assistance in this case.
The investigation is ongoing, and anyone with information related to this incident is urged to contact the St. Louis Police Department or local law enforcement authorities.
The East Palo Alto Police Department remains committed to ensuring the safety and security of all members of the community and will continue to work tirelessly to bring perpetrators of crimes against children to justice.”
