Suspect Arrested in Kidnapping of Boy, 10
Police have arrested one of five suspects in the kidnapping of a 10-year-old boy from his La Palma apartment earlier this week.
Investigators spotted Hui Won Chong, 50, of Los Angeles on his way home about 10:15 p.m. Wednesday and took him into custody on suspicion of residential robbery and kidnapping for extortion, La Palma Police Capt. Vince Giampa said. Detectives said they believe Chong is behind a plot to send “a message” to the boy’s parents, who are from Korea.
“It appears that he helps Koreans come into the country,” Giampa said. “He helps them get established and charges them a fee.”
Kim’s parents, Jeum Soo Kim and Yeon Soon Kim, told police they do not owe any money, and “therein lies the discrepancy,” Giampa said.
About 2:15 p.m. Tuesday, five males stormed into Kim’s apartment in the 7700 block of Valley View Avenue and abducted him. The boy was bound and gagged and taken to Los Angeles, police said. He was found unharmed about four hours later in a Koreatown business complex, police said.
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