Four suspects arrested as part of a kidnapping scheme that temporarily closed the Causeway Bridge over the weekend have been identified by the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office.
Each of the suspects was booked into the Jefferson Parish Correctional Center on allegations of aggravated kidnapping, aggravated burglary and aggravated flight. They are: 18 YO Michelle Mayorga of Kenner, 21 YO Eduardo Jose Ponce-Nunez, 18 YO Nelson Ruiz-Fredrick of New Orleans and a 17 YO male juvenile of Chalmette
The four are accused of forcing their way into an apartment Saturday around 7 a.m. in the 4100 block of Hessmer Avenue in Metairie, where they demanded money. A 40 YO man and 17 YO boy were the victims inside. The boy was abducted from the apartment, JPSO said, prompting a daylong manhunt involving JPSO deputies, US Marshals, and Louisiana State Police.
The suspects were eventually located in New Orleans East but fled, leading officers on a pursuit through multiple jurisdictions before going onto the Causeway Bridge. The suspects’ vehicle was disabled on the bridge and the four suspects were apprehended, forcing a temporary closure of the span late Saturday afternoon.
The abducted boy was found in the vehicle, having suffered minor injuries. JPSO said he is expected to make a full recovery.
