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Fourth suspect arrested in September kidnapping of San Antonio couple; SAPD still seeking a fifth

The man was detained for a separate burglary incident before police connected him with the kidnapping from last fall.

SAN ANTONIO — San Antonio police have arrested a fourth suspect in connection with the Sept. 6, 2023 kidnapping of a local couple, which authorities have said was a targeted incident orchestrated over money the victims' daughter had in her possession. 

Felipe Valdez, 40, and Xhavier Martinez, 29, were previously arrested for their alleged roles in the kidnapping plot shortly after the crime. 

About two weeks later, 30-year-old Rafael Resendez was apprehended for a separate burglary incident at a west-side home, according to San Antonio Police Department (SAPD) Sgt. Washington Moscoso. Officers ran his identity and found him to be the third person they had been searching for after the kidnapping along Mission Bell on the south side. He faces aggravated kidnapping charges.

Now, more than four months later, SAPD released information about a fourth suspect named Monica Robles. An arrest affidavit says Valdez offered her a month's worth of rent money to give a ride to Resendez and Martinez to the victims' house. Once there, the affidavit says, she was told to drive around the block. 

When she returned, the victims were being pulled into the SUV. The affidavit says she was told to drive them a home on Benrus.

Five children inside the Mission Bell home weren't harmed, and their parents were eventually rescued by police on the morning of Sept. 7. 

Police aren't done with the case yet, saying they're also looking for a fifth suspect believed to be involved. SAPD says 22-year-old Joe Michael faces charges of aggravated kidnapping aggravated assault, unlawful carry of a gun and evading arrest in connection with the September incident, in addition to being wanted for separate murder charges. 

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