Drug Dealer Is Abducted Before His Sentencing
A man awaiting sentencing as a drug dealer was taken from his Orange County auto detailing shop over the weekend, and police said Sunday they are investigating the abduction and whether it is related to his conviction.
Juan Escobar, 29, is to be sentenced Jan. 6 on federal drug charges, said Lt. Jim Winder of the Brea Police Department, which serves Yorba Linda.
Although police said they were unable to determine a motive for the abduction, they speculated that the reason may be rooted in Escobar’s criminal past.
“Mr. Escobar is a (convicted) drug dealer,” Winder said. “We do believe (the abduction) is probably related to his past drug dealings.”
No ransom demands have been received by Escobar’s wife, Gloria, Winder said. The couple live in Yorba Linda.
Escobar was taken shortly after 2 p.m. Saturday when several men and women armed with handguns arrived in a white Toyota van at Classic Car d’ Elegance on La Palma Avenue, Winter said.
No one was injured, but witnesses were tied up by the suspects, he said. The witnesses eventually freed themselves and notified authorities.
Police said Escobar was “recently convicted on a large quantity drug deal” in New York. Details were not available.
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