Gunman Posing as U.S. Agent Holds Family of 4 as Hostages

A man posing as a government investigator of money-laundering operations held a San Diego businessman and his family hostage for nine hours at their home before fleeing the Linda Vista area Monday morning, police said.

Terry Keller, 30, manager of the Deak Money Exchange in the Horton Plaza Shopping Center, told detectives that a man who identified himself as a federal investigator probing money-laundering schemes came to his Linda Vista home about 8:30 Sunday night.

Police spokesman Bill Robinson said the man produced a handgun and a hand grenade inside Keller’s home on Minden Drive and handcuffed Keller, his wife and 7-year-old daughter. The gunman also tied up Keller’s 5-year-old son, Sgt. E. Trumper said.

About 5 a.m. Monday, the man forced Keller to lie down on the floor of the victim’s truck and drove the vehicle through an unknown area of the city for about 45 minutes, Trumper said.

The man finally stopped the truck a few blocks from Keller’s home and fled, police said. Keller, still handcuffed, was able to get out of the truck, seek help from neighbors and call police.

Police released Keller’s wife and children, and no injuries were reported during the siege.

Police also reported that the Deak Money Exchange had been broken into during the early morning hours but no property was taken, Trumper said.

Robinson said, “Apparently, it was a kidnaping for robbery.” He added that nothing was taken from the family’s home.

Police said they are seeking a white male about 40 years old, about 6 feet tall, 160 pounds, with a mustache and graying hair.