Kidnap Victim Freed From Burning Car

Firefighters responding to a car fire rescued a seriously burned kidnap victim from inside his locked trunk after hearing his desperate pounding, authorities said Thursday.

Michael Anthony Almeida, 28, was in critical condition Thursday, suffering from second- and third-degree burns to 20% of his body and smoke inhalation, said Larry Weisberg, spokesman for the Grossman Burn Center at Sherman Oaks Hospital.

Almeida was kidnapped at gunpoint Wednesday night in front of his home in the 15800 block of Chatsworth Street, where he had recently moved, authorities said. He was put in the trunk of his 1993 Ford Thunderbird and driven to the 11700 block of Pierce Street in Pacoima, where the car was set on fire. He also appears to have been beaten, police said.

“We have absolutely no idea of the motive,” said Capt. Joe Curreri, commanding officer of the Los Angeles Police Department’s Devonshire Division. “It appears he was targeted, but we don’t know why.”

Almeida, who is expected to survive, has no criminal history, police said. There were no witnesses to the kidnapping, which police said happened sometime after 10 p.m.

At 11:05 p.m. Wednesday, firefighters got a call about the blaze and rescued the man by forcing open the trunk.

“They heard banging, opened the trunk and found him,” said LAPD Det. Mike Oppelt.

Almeida is breathing with the aid of a respirator but is unable to speak, Weisberg said. Detectives were attempting to interview him Thursday afternoon but didn’t know whether they would be able to gather more information.

“The victim is our key at this point,” Curreri said.

Anyone with information about the crime is asked to contact Devonshire Division detectives at (818) 756-8291.