Kidnapped US Teen Rescued by Police Thanks to Snapchat

The teen had notified friends she had been kidnapped via the popular app.

Advertisement
By Agence France-Presse | Updated: 18 January 2020 11:35 IST
Highlights
  • Snapchat helped determine the victim's location and alert authorities
  • One man was arrested from the hotel where the victim was being held
  • Two more men were nabbed on charges of kidnapping and conspiracy

Snapchat app helped the victim in reporting the crime and aided authorities in rescuing her

A California teen who had been drugged and kidnapped was rescued by police this week after using Snapchat to alert her friends to her abduction. Police said the 14-year-old victim on Tuesday notified friends she had been kidnapped via the popular app and they were able to determine her location and alert authorities. One man was arrested as he left the motel in San Jose, in northern California, where the girl was being held and two other suspects were taken into custody on Wednesday, police said in a statement.

They said one of the suspects, Albert Vasquez, 55, met the victim shortly before her abduction and gave her drugs that left her incapacitated.

Vasquez then called the two other suspects who put the teen in their vehicle against her will, police said.

Advertisement

Vasquez allegedly raped the teen in the car before taking her to a motel where he sexually assaulted her again.

Advertisement

He has been charged with multiple felony counts including kidnapping to commit rape and rape by intoxication or controlled substance.

The two other suspects -- Antonio Salvador and Hediberto Avarenga -- were charged with kidnapping and conspiracy.

 

Get your daily dose of tech news, reviews, and insights, in under 80 characters on Gadgets 360 Turbo. Connect with fellow tech lovers on our Forum. Follow us on X, Facebook, WhatsApp, Threads and Google News for instant updates. Catch all the action on our YouTube channel.

Advertisement

Related Stories

Popular Mobile Brands
  1. Vivo V70, V70 Elite Confirmed to Launch in India Soon With These Chips
  2. Xiaomi Pad 8 Pro Tipped to Launch Globally With This Snapdragon Chip
  3. Noise Master Buds 2 to Offer ANC Improvements With New Earbud Design
  4. OTT Releases This Week: Dhurandhar, Daldal, Gustaakh Ishq, Sarvam Maya, and More
  5. Apple to Prioritize Premium iPhone Launches in 2026: Report
  6. Apple Confirms It Will Open Its Second Store in Mumbai 'Soon'
  1. 45 Now Streaming Online: Where to Watch This Kannada Fantasy Thriller Online?
  2. Apple to Prioritize Premium iPhone Launches in 2026 Amid Memory Crunch: Report
  3. CERT-In Asks macOS, Google Chrome Users to Install Updates That Address Security Flaws, Data Theft Risks
  4. Oppo Reno 16 Series Early Leak Hints at Launch Timeline, Dimensity 8500 Chipset and Other Key Features
  5. Patang Now Streaming on Prime Video: Everything You Need to Know About Plot, Cast, and More
  6. Xiaomi Pad 8 Pro Global Variant Visits Geekbench; Tipped to Launch Alongside Xiaomi 17 Series
  7. Google Maps Is Adding Gemini Support for Walking and Cycling Navigation
  8. Gandhi Talks OTT Release Details: Everything You Need to Know About Vijay Sethupathi and Arvind Swami’s Silent Film
  9. OpenAI to Retire GPT-4o and Other Legacy AI Models in ChatGPT in February
  10. NASA, SpaceX Move Up Crew-12 Launch After ISS Medical Emergency
Gadgets 360 is available in
Download Our Apps
Available in Hindi
© Copyright Red Pixels Ventures Limited 2026. All rights reserved.