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West Covina Kidnapping Victim Shows Up at Hospital

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Times Staff Writer

A West Covina woman who was kidnapped at gunpoint from her home earlier this week walked into a Sun Valley hospital Thursday evening after her daughter and another woman were arrested for alleged obstruction of justice in the case, police said.

Authorities said they were still interviewing Angelina Bejarano, 60, and did not yet know how she got free or what her condition was.

Police were seeking Miguel Escalera, 29, of Sun Valley and a second man, both considered armed and dangerous.

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Bejarano was abducted Tuesday night when two men knocked on her door and then hustled her into an SUV. Her daughter, Evelyn Callu, 31, told police she ran after them and was grabbed by one man but broke free.

But Callu had several cellular phone conversations with the alleged abductors before the kidnapping and did not tell police, West Covina police spokesman Rudy Lopez said.

Police say they believe the case may be connected to narcotics.

“We think the family living in the home is related to someone who is involved,” Lopez said. “They might have targeted this family to make a point.”

Investigators said they reached that conclusion because there was no ransom demand.

Police also arrested Escalera’s girlfriend, Melissa Rodriguez, 27, on suspicion of obstruction of justice. Rodriguez owns a Mitsubishi Montero that police believe may have been the getaway vehicle.

Escalera is described as 5-foot-7, 250 pounds, with letters tattooed on his chest. The other suspect is said to be in his 20s, about 5-foot-9 and 160 pounds.

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