Fresno, CA (KMJ) – Detectives arrest a father who they say unlawfully took his son, the child was found safe.
Detectives had been trying to find Luis Padilla since July 21, 2022.
On that day, a woman was watching her grandchild when Padilla entered the home and took his child without anyone knowing.
Padilla broke the by law because he had recently lost his child custody rights from the court.
Padilla later called the child’s mother to say he had their eight year old boy, but he refused to tell the her where they were.
A description of Luis Padilla was released; 5’7”, 150 lbs, black hair and brown eyes, with a dragon tattoo on his upper back and a tattoo of the number 8 on his throat. He has a history of staying in San Diego, Oakland, Fresno, Del Rey and Reedley.
On Thursday, a citizen informed the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office that Padilla was at a business in Sanger.
A deputy arrived and found the 31-year-old suspect and his eight-year-old inside the building.
Deputies say Padilla refused to peacefully surrender and threw a table at a deputy before running out the door.
The deputy chased him down and took him into custody.
Padilla was booked into the Fresno County Jail for child concealment, additional felony charges relate to active warrants for past crimes of assault, domestic violence and sexual battery.
Sanger Police officers who assisted on the call were able to contact Padilla’s son, who was in good condition.
