Police Urge Kidnapers to Free 2 Children Abducted in August

Two Los Angeles brothers, ages 3 and 4, have been held captive since mid-August by armed kidnapers who abducted them and their mother outside a market, police said Tuesday in asking for the public’s help in solving the unusual case.

The kidnapers released the boys’ mother about three weeks after the Aug. 17 abduction in the Hyde Park section of Los Angeles. They initially asked for $50,000 in ransom but have since dropped that demand, apparently realizing that it would not be met, police said.

Authorities decided to release photos of the brothers and composite drawings of the two kidnapers after they stopped calling the family about 10 days ago. “We’ve just exhausted so many avenues,” said Detective Mike Watson of the Los Angeles Police Department’s Robbery-Homicide Division.

Beverly Dixon, 29, and her children, Cassel Jr., 4, and Anthony, 3, were kidnaped as they were leaving the Stone Grocery Co. at 6700 Crenshaw Boulevard, Watson said. The kidnapers forced Dixon and her children into a black Toyota Camry and drove them to an apartment. Dixon’s eyes were covered so she could not tell police the location of the apartment, he said.

Cassel (Prentist) Dixon Sr., 30, a partner in a small auto body shop, called police as soon as he learned that his wife and children had been kidnaped, police said. On several occasions, the kidnapers forced the children to get on the telephone and plead to come home, investigators said.

After several unsuccessful demands for ransom, the kidnapers released Beverly Dixon on Sept. 4 at Venice and Crenshaw boulevards, hoping that she would persuade her husband to pay up, police said. Beverly Dixon told police that the kidnapers manhandled her and struck her twice in the mouth.

She also told police that the kidnapers had not harmed the children but had threatened to if the ransom was not paid.

The kidnapers last allowed the children to speak to their parents three weeks ago, Watson said. “At this time, I do believe the children are alive,” he said Tuesday.

Detective Robert Kestler said investigators have considered several possible motives for the kidnaping, but he refused to elaborate. The kidnapers and the victims are Jamaican, Kestler said, adding that police are trying to determine whether that has any bearing on the crime.

“We’ve run everything over in our minds and haven’t been able to come up with anything,” Kestler said. The family does not have the financial resources to pay the ransom, he said.

Los Angeles Police Lt. Ron Lewis said the case is unusual because of the length of time that the children have been held. He said many kidnapings involve business deals gone sour. But Beverly Dixon told police she did not recognize her abductors.

“Anybody should be able to realize that it will not benefit anyone to hold the children any longer,” Lewis said.

Police urged the kidnapers to release the children unharmed. “There is no gain in keeping the babies,” Lewis said. “There is going to be no money.”

The boys’ parents declined to speak to the media for fear of retribution from the kidnapers, police said.

Police urged anyone with information to call (213) 485-2511 during business hours or (213) 485-3261 after 5 p.m.