Police Arrest 3, Free Kidnap Victim After High-Speed Chase

Police freed a kidnaping victim Wednesday and arrested three suspects after a high-speed chase through the San Fernando Valley.

Rubell S. Shumahine, 33, of Los Angeles was rescued, shaken but unharmed, from a car that police pulled over in Granada Hills shortly after 1 a.m., Lt. Ron Lewis said.

Salvador Feliciano, 28, and Lisa Parry, 23, both of Van Nuys, and Eugene Cumba, 39, of Los Angeles were arrested on suspicion of kidnaping for ransom.

Lewis said that although the motive for the abduction was under investigation, it appeared to involve a business dispute between Shumahine and an acquaintance of the suspects. Shumahine owns an auto-body repair shop that is facing financial difficulties, Lewis said.

“We are leaning toward some kind of business situation,” Lewis said. “The suspects believed he owed money” to an individual whom police did not identify.

“They were going to get it for him,” Lewis said.

Police learned of the kidnaping about 5 p.m. Tuesday from bystanders who saw Shumahine being forced into a car near his business, Rubell’s Automotive, in the 1400 block of South La Brea Avenue in the Mid-Wilshire District, Lewis said.

Demanded $60,000 Ransom

Detectives later contacted Shumahine’s girlfriend and learned she had received calls from his captors demanding $60,000 ransom.

Investigators learned that the kidnapers were holding Shumahine in a Van Nuys apartment shared by Feliciano and Parry, Lewis said. He declined to say what led investigators to the apartment.

As undercover officers watched the apartment about 1 a.m., the suspects emerged with Shumahine and drove off, Lewis said. Apparently realizing they were being followed by unmarked police cars, they attempted to speed away, he said.

Police gave chase at speeds up to 90 m.p.h. for 5 to 10 minutes until the suspects pulled over in the 17200 block of Devonshire Street in Granada Hills, Lewis said. Two surrendered and the third was captured after a short chase on foot. A handgun he discarded was recovered, Lewis said.

The suspects were being held in Los Angeles County Jail in lieu of $100,000 bail.

Lewis said investigators had not found any indication that Shumahine actually owed anyone $60,000. He declined to discuss the nature of the business dispute or the problems facing Shumahine’s business.

The telephone at Shumahine’s business has been disconnected, and he could not be reached for comment.