Found Safe CA - Alora Benitez, 15, Torrance, 17 April 2019 *Arrest*

[yarnball]

APR 21, 2019
Family Holds Vigil for Missing 15-Year-Old Redondo Beach Girl Last Seen With Homicide Suspects
[...]
"Alora, if you’re listening, if you see any of this: Make a run for it. Call 911. Get to a phone. Ask for help. Go where there’s a lot of people," the father said.

Damn. This all must feel like a crazy bad dream to the poor father.

Also, it looks like the dad and family released a few more pictures of Alora to the press. The CBS journalist who covered the vigil tweeted them here:

Jeff Nguyen on Twitter "Vigil for Alora Benitez who’s been missing since her mother and her mom’s ex-husband were accused of murder. Tonight, a plea from her dad."

Alora Benitez.

 

[yarnball]

It just feels like everyone is behind on this.

Agreed. There was also the false alarm Amber Alert in Nevada which wasted a few days.

Any sense of what LE's plan is going forward? The signs seem to point toward the suspects already being in Mexico, and as far as I know, no one has heard from or seen the missing girl in a week. What's next?

 

[PommyMommy]

Updated Apr 23, 2019 at 12:19am
Missing Teen Alora Benitez Update: Authorities Discover Abductors’ Abandoned Car | Heavy.com

 

[gitana1]

Agreed. There was also the false alarm Amber Alert in Nevada which wasted a few days.

Any sense of what LE's plan is going forward? The signs seem to point toward the suspects already being in Mexico, and as far as I know, no one has heard from or seen the missing girl in a week. What's next?

That's my question. We occasionally hear of missing peoplebeing rescued or found in Mexico but I have no idea of the process. How do they work together? And shouldnt efforts be made to contact people the mom and boyfriend know in Mexico? Rather than continuing a futile search in the US?

 

[gitana1]

Updated Apr 23, 2019 at 12:19am
Missing Teen Alora Benitez Update: Authorities Discover Abductors’ Abandoned Car | Heavy.com

So they crossed on foot. Someone must have picked them up. Unless they got a taxi. Or bus.

The kids' phone may not work in Mexico. Does she speak Spanish? Can she ask for help? Why did they take her?

 

[PommyMommy]

That's my question. We occasionally hear of missing peoplebeing rescued or found in Mexico but I have no idea of the process. How do they work together? And shouldnt efforts be made to contact people the mom and boyfriend know in Mexico? Rather than continuing a futile search in the US?

There was a case a while back of a man who fled to Mexico who had numerous (30 or so) charges for child . IIRC, US Marshalls worked with a Mexican investigative liaison. At one point, they had eyes on him and could have arrested him, turned him into local authorities, then extradited him to the U.S. but they didn't have the correct warrant (Unlawful Flight to Avoid Prosecution). I can't remember his name and I don't know if he was later captured or not, but my point is that I imagine investigators in Alora's case are working with a liaison in Mexico. MOO

 

[PommyMommy]

So they crossed on foot. Someone must have picked them up. Unless they got a taxi. Or bus.

The kids' phone may not work in Mexico. Does she speak Spanish? Can she ask for help? Why did they take her?

I don't know if she speaks Spanish. I think they took her because they knew they wouldn't be able to come back. I'm hoping that she was not a witness to the murder of JA because if she was, it's even more unlikely that they will let her go. MOO

 

[PommyMommy]

APR 23, 2019
Family still holding out hope for return of missing LA teen

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[katydid23]

I don't know if she speaks Spanish. I think they took her because they knew they wouldn't be able to come back. I'm hoping that she was not a witness to the murder of JA because if she was, it's even more unlikely that they will let her go. MOO

Ugh, I hadn't thought of that. I sure hope not.

I had thought of one very worst case scenario---I hope the male murder suspect didn't have any plans of using this beautiful young girl as a bargaining chip in his flight from justice in Mexico...

 

[yarnball]

I don't know if she speaks Spanish. I think they took her because they knew they wouldn't be able to come back. I'm hoping that she was not a witness to the murder of JA because if she was, it's even more unlikely that they will let her go. MOO

That's a good point. Even if Alora didn't witness the murder, after being on the run with them for a week now, she will almost certainly have overheard them discussing what happened and/or where they plan to go in Mexico.

Moreover, once she's back in the U.S., I assume she would be questioned by authorities about what she knows. Even if she were to promise the murder suspects that she would remain quiet, they would have no way of knowing for sure that she wouldn't say something to someone to compromise their location.

It's so unfortunate that these adults are putting this young girl in this position. Still hopeful that they'll do the right thing and let her go.

 

[HayLouise]

MISSING TEEN: A search is underway for Alora Benitez who was last seen with two murder suspects -- one of which is her mom BMW Carrying Carson Murder Suspects, Missing 15-Year-Old Girl, Found Abandoned In San Diego County

48 Hours on Twitter

(Video at link)

 

[HayLouise]

Currently at a vigil for missing 15YO #AloraBenitez. She was last seen traveling with her mother and the mother’s ex-husband, who are both wanted in connection with a murder in Carson, California. The car they were traveling in was found unoccupied in the town of San Ysidro.



nathan on Twitter

 

[HayLouise]

NOW: Prayer vigil for a missing teenage girl. Alora Benitez was last seen with her mom and a man, both adults are suspects in a murder last Tuesday. #NBCLA Car Tied to Amber Alert and Slaying Found Near Border Crossing in San Diego Area

https://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/Carson-Slaying-Search-Amber-Alert-Car-San-Diego-508833251.html?akmobile=o





Rick Montanez on Twitter

 

[cvaldez1975]

So they crossed on foot. Someone must have picked them up. Unless they got a taxi. Or bus.

The kids' phone may not work in Mexico. Does she speak Spanish? Can she ask for help? Why did they take her?

yes i was in TJ last week sometimes your phone doesn't work and GPS SURE does not work.

also in TJ, there are TONS of little vans that drive up and down most streets that are public transpo.

 

[PommyMommy]

LA County Sheriff's on Twitter
#WantedWednesday #LASD Needs Help Locating Endangered #Missing Child Alora Benitez, last seen w/ murder suspects Maricela Mercado & Roman Cerratos, #Carson. Call w/ ANONYMOUS TIPS 800-222-8477 or Detectives at 323-890-5500. https://bit.ly/2Pr9x2t

2:45 PM - 24 Apr 2019

Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department

 

[kelsie]

So, her mom and her mom's ex husband shot a guy and left him in a car? And then fled with Alora? Is there any more info on what actually occurred to spark the running?

 

[kelsie]

From the Heavy.com article linked previously:

On the morning of April 16, Jeffrey Appel, 32, of Las Vegas, was discovered dead in a white Audi sedan in an office parking lot ASAP Drug Solutions, in Carson, California. Police have not shared details regarding how Appel, Cerratos and Mercado may have known each other or what circumstances led to Appel’s grisly murder. Police initially said Appel had been stabbed to death, then later rescinded that statement, saying that the cause of death was undetermined.

Witnesses watching homicide investigators said they saw a knife recovered at the crime scene, blood splattered on the car’s exterior as well as trails of blood from the car across the parking lot. Appel’s body was discovered by two men attending an early morning training program. One witness who worked for ASAP Drug Solutions said she recognized Appel as a client.

A quick Google of ASAP Drug Solutions brings us to this description:

ASAP Drug Solutions, Inc. is dedicated to providing comprehensive design, implementation and administration of your anti-drug and alcohol program under state and federal regulations, company policy and/or consortium guidelines. Our staff of professionals will be your partners in supporting and managing your drug and alcohol program, and keeping you updated on current and pending state and federal legislation. We are here for you every hour of every day.

 

[ADKGemini]

Amber Alert still showing as active

 

[PommyMommy]

APR 30, 2019
https://mynewsla.com/crime/2019/04/...al-shootings-with-nine-victims-ages-19-to-53/
The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Tuesday approved or renewed rewards for information in unrelated fatal shootings that claimed nine lives, including the killing of a Las Vegas man in Carson that’s connected to the alleged abduction of a teenage girl whose mother is one of the two suspects.

[...]

Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas recommended offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to the safe recovery of the 15-year-old girl whose mother is one of two suspects in the killing of 32-year-old Jeffrey Appel.

...Detectives say they are concerned for Alora’s safety because of the “extreme violence” used to kill Appel, whose body was found around 6:30 a.m. April 16 in his Audi parked in the 400 block of East Carson Plaza Drive. He had been shot multiple times in the neck and upper body, according to coroner’s records.

[...]

The gun used to kill Appel has not been located and the suspects are considered armed and dangerous. Anyone spotting them was urged to immediately call 911.

Mercado shares custody of her daughter with the girl’s father, who authorities said has no involvement in the homicide.

[...]

 

[ADKGemini]

Officials on Friday announced a $20,000 reward for information leading to the arrests of a man and woman wanted in connection with a homicide in Carson as an Amber Alert remains in effect for a missing teenager believed to be with the pair.

Maricela Mercado, 40, and her ex-husband Roman Cerratos, 39, have been identified as suspects in the fatal shooting of 32-year-old Jeffrey Appel, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.

Appel, of Las Vegas, was found dead inside a car that was parked in a lot in the 400 block of East Carson Plaza Drive on April 16. He died from gunshot wounds to the neck and torso, and his death was ruled a homicide, according to the autopsy.

Mercado's daughter, 15-year-old Alora Benitez, was last seen with the two suspects in Torrance on April 17. CHP issued an Amber Alert for the missing teen the following day.

A BMW associated with the alert was found unoccupied in the border town of San Ysidro on April 19.

The $20,000 reward, offered jointly by the L.A. County Board of Supervisors and the City of Carson, is for information that leads to the suspects being arrested and convicted, according to a sheriff's bulletin.

Cerratos and Mercado should be considered "armed and dangerous," the bulletin stated.

Anyone who sees them or has information about the case is urged to call the sheriff's Homicide Bureau at 323-890-5500. Those wishing to remain anonymous should contact L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers by dialing 800-222-8477.
$20K Reward Offered Amid Search for Man, Woman Sought in Carson Homicide; Teen Remains Missing