LAREDO, Tx. (KGNS) - Several people are arrested in connection to an alleged kidnapping case that was reported this past December.

On Thursday, Jan. 11, 2024, at around 6:40 a.m. Laredo Police SWAT and other law enforcement agencies executed a search warrant at a home near South New York Avenue and Chacota Street which is where the alleged kidnapping took place.

Law enforcement was able to search the home and serve the warrants to the people involved without incident.

Laredo Police arrested Mario Alberto Melendez, Jorge Melendez, Adrian Melendez, Mario Alberto Melendez Jr., Vicente Melendez Jr., Jesus Aguilar, Luis Alejandro Ortiz and Juan Alva.

They are all facing various charges including aggravated kidnapping with a deadly weapon.

LAREDO, Tex. (KGNS) - The bail for one of the suspects related to Laredo’s seventh homicide case of 2023 has been reduced.

In December of 2023, authorities responded to gunfire near Mines Road, leading to the discovery of 19-year-old Jose Roberto Obregon with gunshot wounds. Four individuals, including 18-year-old Ruben Tobias Junior, were apprehended in connection to the homicide.

Tobias, Jr’s attorney claims that his client feared for his life that evening, asserting self-defense. The defense suggests that Obregon may have been armed with more potent weapons. During a bond reduction hearing, the initial $300,000 bond for the murder charge has been lowered to $160,000.

The defense says it is pleased with this development, citing an ongoing investigation to reveal the incident’s full details.

LAREDO, Tex. (KGNS) - Two Mexican citizens, illegally present in the United States, are now facing federal charges for their involvement in a human smuggling scheme, accused of forging I-551 stamps.

Juan Francisco Reyna-Robles, 52, was slated to appear in court today, while 49-year-old Eugolio Araus Ocampo has already faced charges. The allegations date back to 2022, asserting that the duo engaged in the making and distribution of counterfeit I-551 stamps – essential documents for establishing legal residency in the United States.

The government issues these stamps, recognized as temporary evidence of permanent resident status, facilitating various aspects of daily life such as travel, identity verification, and employment authorization.

If found guilty, Reyna-Robles and Ocampo could face up to five years for document forgery and up to 10 years for their involvement in human smuggling. Additionally, hefty fines, potentially reaching into the hundreds of thousands of dollars, could be imposed.

LAREDO, TX (KGNS) - A man is facing charges after authorities search a home in central Laredo and found drugs, weapons and ammo.

The Webb County Sheriff’s Office arrested Humberto Melendez, 49, and charged him with possession of marijuana and a controlled substance.

The operation happened on Thursday, Jan. 11, 2024, when the Webb County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Unit and the S.W.A.T team executed a search warrant at the 2100 block of Piedra China Street.

Authorities searched the home and found 28 foils of heroin with a weight of 12.4 grams, one gram of cocaine, 16.2 ounces of marijuana, two 9 mm handguns, one .22 caliber rifle, one 9 mm rifle, three drum magazines, three high-capacity magazines, one bulletproof vest, three scales and 4,649 rounds of ammunition in different calibers.

Melendez was transported and remanded to The Webb County Jail with no bond.

LAREDO, Tx. (KGNS) - Five people are detained in connection to an alleged kidnapping case that was reported this past December.

This morning at around 6:40 a.m., Laredo Police Swat and other law enforcement agencies executed a search warrant at a home near South New York Avenue and Chacota Street which is where the alleged kidnapping took place.

Law enforcement was able to search the home and serve the warrants to the individuals involved without incident.

While the operation was conducted without incident, Investigator Joe Baeza said these types of cases are concerning because they do not happen in our community.

“We don’t see these types of issues, we’re not going to allow this to turn into Mexico, and anybody who has any ideas that we’re going to turn a blind eye to these issues is sorely mistaken,” said Baeza. “The community deserves better, they deserve to live in a community, they are good people and they don’t deserve this type of thing here.”

Baeza adds that certain measures were taken due to the location and the individuals involved.

At this time the identity of the victim or the individuals involved have not been released at this time.

LAREDO, TX. (KGNS) - The Laredo Police Department’s SWAT Team is executing a search warrant at a south Laredo home.

On Thursday, Jan. 11, 2024, police and several other law enforcement agencies executed several search warrants near S New York Ave and Chacota Street.

The police department issued an alert on its social media page at around 6:45 a.m. to inform the public about its current operation.

According to Investigator Joe Baeza, during their search, five people were detained as part of an ongoing investigation in relation to an alleged kidnapping case.

Authorities say the operation was conducted without incident.

Police say they informed the school about the activity before they began the operation.

LAREDO, Tx (KGNS) - A man accused of sexually assaulting a child in 2020 is arrested by U.S. Marshals.

With the help of the U.S. Marshals South Texas Fugitive Task Force, Laredo Police were able to arrest Yuneil Pinero, 36, on four counts of sexual assault of a child.

Back in Nov. of 2020, a child made an outcry to a family member about the alleged assault.

Pinero left Texas and fled to Florida.

In Sept. of 2023, U.S. Marshals were ablet o locate Pinero in Miami Dade, Florida.

He was extradited back to Laredo, Texas, and served with the Felony warrants.

He is at Webb County Jail under a $160,000 bond.