According to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, the father and grandparents of a baby were taken from their mother’s arms after an attack outside the store over the weekend — prompting Southern California’s Amber Alert to face multiple felony charges.
The department said in a written statement that the case will be submitted to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office. Prosecutors will consider filing multiple criminal charges against the three suspects, including kidnapping and assault with deadly weapons.
The suspect was identified as Dragan Antonescu, 20; his father, Viorel Illie, 48; and his mother, Marioara Illie, 40, was arrested in Winslow, Arizona, about eight hours after the Ambert alarm was issued. The three will be extradited back to Los Angeles County, although the opportunity has not been announced yet.
“The victim’s children return to California is being coordinated by the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services,” the department said.
The incident allegedly occurred Sunday when investigators notified investigators in the target parking lot in the 17700 block of Colima Road, the industry city.
Investigators determined that before 11 a.m., the suspect approached the mother of the child and family who were with her and began to beat her as they forced the baby out of their arms.
“Antonescu produced a knife that threatened the victim and her family and fled the location with a grey Toyota Sienna Minivan,” the statement said.
The child’s mother suffered minor injuries during the attack and was taken to the hospital by an ambulance.
Investigators asked California Highway Patrol to issue a child’s safety due to concerns about the safety of their children Amber Alert To seek help from the public. In addition, investigators contacted Arizona law enforcement agencies.
“The Arizona Department of Public Safety found the vehicle in Winslow, Arizona, where Antonescu and his parents were arrested,” the statement said. “The uninjured child was rescued and detained by Arizona authorities.
