California family kidnapping: Merced sheriff asks for public's help Identifying suspect
Merced County Sheriff Vernon Warnke on Monday pleaded with the public for help identifying the suspect tied to a California family's disappearance.
California authorities continue to search for a kidnapped family of four after one missing victim's truck was found on fire in a rural area outside Merced on Monday.
The Merced County Sheriff's Office on Monday announced the kidnapping of 8-month-old Aroohi Dheri; her 27-year-old mother, Jasleen Kaur; her 36-year-old father, Jasdeep Singh; and the baby's 39-year-old uncle, Amandeep Singh.
Earlier the same day, at about 11:40 a.m. PT, Cal Fire Madera-Mariposa-Merced "was dispatched to Buhach Road and Oakdale Road in Winton for a report of a vehicle on fire," the sheriff's office said in a Tuesday update.
Authorities with the fire department later identified the vehicle as Amandeep Singh's black 2020 Dodge Ram truck and began an investigation into the incident.
KIDNAPPED CALIFORNIA FAMILY OF 4 STILL MISSING ALONG WITH POTENTIAL ARMED SUSPECT: SHERIFF SAYS
California police are looking for a kidnapped family of four after the missing uncle's truck was found on fire in a rural area between Buhach Road and Oakdale Road in Winton on Monday. (Google Maps/ Merced County Sheriff)
The sheriff's office first reached out to Singh after his truck was found ablaze and could not get a hold of him. One family member soon contacted the sheriff's office to report the four family members missing after unsuccessfully trying to contact them.
CALIFORNIA SERIAL KILLER NOW TIED TO 6 STOCKTON MURDERS, 1 ATTEMPTED MURDER: POLICE
Merced County Sheriff Vernon Warnke announced Monday there is evidence leading investigators to believe that the suspected kidnapper attempted to destroy evidence.
Authorities released a photo of a potential suspect wearing a gray sweatshirt with black sleeves and a black hood; a blue surgical mask; dark-colored pants; and dark-colored shoes and socks. The suspect is also considered armed and dangerous.
"At approximately 1:04 pm, our Office was notified and responded to a business on South Highway 59. During the primary investigation, Detectives determined that the individuals were kidnapped," the sheriff's office continued.
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The baby, her parents and her uncle were "taken against their will from a business" on the 800 block of South Highway 59 in Merced, authorities announced Monday.
Authorities are asking anyone with information to call the Merced County Sheriff's Office Investigations Bureau at (209) 385-7445.
