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Brownsville police have arrested two people for ambushing a man who believed he was meeting up with someone he met on a dating app.
In a news release, police said they arrested Ernesto Emmanuel Jimenez, 17, and a juvenile for kidnapping, assaulting and robbing the man.
The juvenile was arrested on Tuesday while Jimenez was served with warrants on July 9 in the Cameron County Carrizales-Rucker Detention Center where he was being held. Police two other people who are also currently incarcerated are expected to be served with warrants in the next few days.
The alleged kidnapping and robbery happened on June 29 when police responded to the 2200 block of Illinois Ave. for an aggravated robbery call.
“The victim stated that he arrived at the 2200 block of South Dakota Ave. to meet up with someone he met on a dating app, but was ambushed by a group of armed males upon arrival at the location,” police said in the release. “The victim was then tied up, struck on the head, and forcibly placed in the backseat of his own vehicle.”
The suspects then took the man to an isolated field in the 2200 block of Illinois Ave. where he was assaulted again before he was thrown out of the vehicle, according to police.
Jail records show that Jimenez was booked into the county jail on July 2 on charges of engaging in organized criminal activity, theft of property, unlawful use of a criminal instrument and theft of firearm.
The new charges include aggravated robbery, aggravated kidnapping, engaging in organized criminal activity and unlawful restraint.
“The Brownsville Police Department advises the public to exercise caution when arranging meetings with individuals initially encountered online,” the release stated. “Before meeting someone in person, it is recommended to inform a trusted friend or family member of your plans, including details such as the location, time, and the person you’re meeting. You never know who or what you will encounter.”
