Abducted man is found dead in mountains

The body of an Ontario man who was beaten and then kidnapped from his home was uncovered in the San Bernardino Mountains on Saturday, five days after he disappeared, authorities said Monday.

Santiago Contreras, 33, had been shot to death and was found on a mountain slope near California 138 in the Valley of Enchantment, but it was unclear when he was shot, according to Ontario Police Det. Jeff Higbee. An autopsy scheduled for today by the San Bernardino County coroner may determine when the shooting occurred, Higbee said.

Mountain sightseers spotted the body late Saturday and contacted sheriff’s investigators, who pronounced him dead about 4 p.m., Higbee said. Contreras had been shot multiple times in the upper body, Higbee said. Investigators identified the body through fingerprints Sunday and called Ontario police.

Police notified the Contreras family Sunday, who said they had not been contacted by the kidnappers since Contreras was taken.

Contreras was an illegal immigrant from Guadalajara, Mexico. He worked as an auto mechanic and had lived in the U.S. for about a decade, Higbee said.

He was kidnapped about 2 p.m. Feb. 18 after he arrived at his home in the 700 block of West Jacaranda Street. His family had been held hostage all afternoon by three to five men who then pistol-whipped Contreras, forced him into their SUV and fled, Higbee said.

It’s unclear whether the Contreras family is assisting in the investigation of the killing, which police believe is drug-related, possibly connected to cartels in Tijuana, Higbee said.

Kidnappings are common in Tijuana, which a few years ago was among the kidnapping capitals of the world, fueled mostly by drug cartels demanding million-dollar ransoms. Last year, 26 U.S. residents were abducted in Baja California. Most had strong family or business ties to the area that required frequent visits.

In a few cases, the cartels have snatched people across the border in San Diego County, but it is rare for them to range farther north.

Although Mexican law enforcement vowed to crack down on cartel kidnappings, and numbers dropped in recent years, they persist.

Four months ago, Contreras’ brother-in-law, also an illegal Mexican immigrant who had been living in Ontario, was kidnapped while visiting Tijuana, Higbee said. The man was held for six weeks until the family sold land to pay his $100,000 ransom.

“Nobody is being upfront about a drug connection or debt that needs to be paid, but all the signs are there,” Higbee said. “I think they’re afraid for their safety, especially with what they’ve seen -- the kidnapping and now this.”

Although the kidnappers did not wear masks, family members have said they are unable to describe the men. They described the attackers’ car as a cream-colored 1998 or 2000 Ford Excursion or Expedition SUV, with two black side stripes and a red or white cord hanging from the back.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Ontario Police Det. Al Parra at (909) 395-2752.

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molly.hennessy-fiske@latimes.com