The Police killed two men in San Isidro on Tuesday night, 17 December in the midst of a gun battle with five men who had kidnapped the owner of a chicken producing plant and were demanding RD$1.5 million for his release. The victim of the kidnapping was released safe and sound.
Police spokesman Colonel Jacobo Mateo Moquete said that the dead men were Jose Antonio Pena Zabala (Pestanita), 34 and Jose Antonio Fabian de la Cruz (Adalberto), 24. He went on to explain that they were part of a group of five that kidnapped 58-year old Apolinar Jimenez Garcia in the early hours of the morning when he left his house in his SUV. The men then made him get out of his car at gunpoint and took his keys, wallet, money, cell phone and other belongings. They then called his family and asked for the ransom.
Colonel Mateo Moquete said that during the rescue Luis Alejandro Ortiz Mieses (Runlay or La Mole) escaped, along with another two unidentified people. They arrested Ariel Alberto Jimenez Concepcion, 20, who is said to be part of the group, although he denies it saying he was there as Runlay called him and told him to come.