Amber Alert Canceled: Kids Found Safe, Suspect Still At Large | News

By Kiki Jones - email

SANTA ROSA, Calif. (KTVU) — The three girls who were kidnapped by their father in Santa Rosa early Thursday were found safe by evening, but the suspect who triggered the Amber Alert remained at large, according to authorities.

Santa Rosa police told KTVU that the three girls had been brought to a park in Santa Rosa by suspect Jose Alberto Rojo's brother and mother. It was Rojo's mother who called police and informed them of the girls' whereabouts sometime after 6 p.m.

The suspect in the kidnapping had still not been located, police said.

Rojo, 25, had smashed his SUV into the front doors of an insurance company at around 11 a.m. Thursday, snatching his and his estranged wife's three daughters, according to Santa Rosa police.

The incident happened  at the Lemus Insurance office in a shopping center at 1791 Marlow Road in west Santa Rosa, Sgt. John Snetsinger said.

Rojo tried to get his estranged wife to exit the locked business, and when she refused, he left but returned with the couple's three daughters ages 3, 5, and 7, Snetsinger said.

Rojo again tried to get his wife to speak to him, and when she again refused, Rojo returned with the children to his 4-door Chevrolet Tahoe, told his estranged wife he was going to harm himself and she would never see the children again, Snetsinger said.

Rojo then rammed the doors of the business with the Tahoe and drove south on Marlow Road with the children, Snetsinger said.

The California Highway Patrol issued an Amber Alert around 2 p.m. for the 2005 black Chevrolet Tahoe with a license plate of 6TXA253.

Maria Lemus, the owner of the insurance company, said her daughter Selina Rojo filed divorce papers Thursday against Rojo, also known as Jose Alberto Bojorquez-Rojo.

She said Rojo first tried to get into the locked insurance company office by throwing carts at the front door.

Lemus said one of her employees said Rojo appeared to have a can of mace.

"He (Rojo) kidnapped my daughter once before. He was on trial for spousal abuse," Lemus said.

Lemus said her daughter came to the insurance company to talk to her niece, who also works there.

Lemus said there is a restraining order against Rojo and the couple is separated.

Santa Rosa police Lt. Steve Bair said Rojo has a history of domestic violence and there is a criminal protective order against him.

Rojo is wanted for assault with a deadly weapon, violating a protective order, child endangerment, child concealment and commission of a felony while out on bail, Snetsinger said.

Anyone with immediate information on Rojo's whereabout should call 911.