3 Teenagers Suspected in Kidnapping of Boy Surrender to La Palma Police

Three 16-year-old boys linked to the kidnapping of a 10-year-old boy surrendered to police Friday, leaving one more suspect at large, police said.

Investigators believe the three Los Angeles teenagers were part of a five-person team that forced its way into a Valley View Avenue apartment Tuesday afternoon and abducted Phillip Kim in an effort to extort money from his parents, Police Capt. Vince Giampa said. The boy was later found unharmed in Koreatown.

About 2:30 p.m. Friday, two teenagers walked into the Police Department with their parents and attorneys to surrender. About two hours later, another juvenile came into the station to do the same, Giampa said. All three were booked into the La Palma City Jail on suspicion of kidnapping and residential burglary and were scheduled to be transferred to juvenile hall.

Their names were withheld because of their age.

A day earlier, police arrested Hui Won Chong, 50, also of Los Angeles in connection with the kidnapping. Investigators said they believe Chong, who once helped Kim’s parents settle into their new life in the United States, masterminded the abduction to extort money. The Kims, who are from Korea, told police they did not owe the man money.