Victim’s cousin one of 4 arrested in student’s kidnapping-murder

Mexico City police are closer to solving a high-profile kidnapping case that has tarnished the department’s reputation and forced the city’s top anti-kidnapping agent to resign.

Four people have been arrested in connection with the kidnapping and murder of 22-year-old student Norberto Ronquillo last month.

On Saturday, police arrested Daniel “B,” a cousin-in-law of the victim through his father, in Xochimilco. Police say Daniel is the owner of a grey Ford Topaz that was linked to the kidnapping and the receipt of a ransom payment.

Daniel “B” admitted to being the owner of the car but said he rents the car to a Uber driver and that when the crime took place, someone else was driving it. The driver, Óscar “N,” was arrested on Wednesday night.

Daniel “B” was also implicated in the 2015 kidnapping and murder of Édgar Carrasco Hernández, a distant cousin to Ronquillo. In a series of events similar to the Ronquillo kidnapping, Carrasco was kidnapped from his home in Morelos and his family received a call asking for a ransom.

Kidnapping-murder victim Norberto Ronquillo.
Kidnapping-murder victim Norberto Ronquillo.

After the family paid 500,000 pesos (US $26,300), Carrasco was found dead. Investigators suspected that the kidnapping was committed by relatives of the victim, but could not find enough evidence to make an arrest.

Police have arrested two other people and are searching for three others.

The city’s Attorney General’s Office said today there was evidence that Ronquillo’s murder was related to a personal debt he owed.

Ronquillo, who was a student at Pedregal University, was kidnapped on June 4 as he was leaving the school. After his parents received a phone call demanding a ransom, a 500,000-peso payment was delivered by Ronquillo’s cousin, identified as Osvaldo “F,” to an unknown individual in a grey Ford Topaz. On June 8, Ronquillo was found dead in Xochimilco.

Source: El Universal (sp), Milenio (sp), La Jornada (sp), La Silla Rota (sp)

Have something to say? Paid Subscribers get all access to make & read comments.
Ricardo Verduzco

Former Sinaloa state official arrested in Utah with more than 100,000 fentanyl pills

0
Ricardo Verduzco was an official with the Sinaloa Institute of Physical Culture and Sport during the governorship of Rubén Rocha Moya, who is also accused of drug trafficking by U.S. prosecutors. He left his position on July 31.
FGE Mexicali

US issues security alert concerning area of Mexicali

3
The United States issued a consular security alert for the area of Mexicali on Monday due to a potential threat, but further information is pending.
Isaac del Toro Tour of Germany

Isaac del Toro wins his first Tour of Germany

0
This victory makes Ensenada-born Isaac del Toro the first Latin American cyclist to win the Tour of Germany, following his recent milestone of becoming the first Mexican cyclist in 36 years to win a stage of the Tour de France. 
BETA Version - Powered by Perplexity