2 in Perris allegedly held man for ransom

PERRIS, Calif. Authorities learned of the alleged crime when they were called to a home in the 1800 block of Havasu Street, near Copper Creek Park, according to Perris police.

Police said the 41-year-old man, smuggled in from Tijuana, Mexico, was threatened with torture and death by Altagracia Robles, 42, and Aureliano Lopez, 37, after they learned the man did not have enough money to pay for his border crossing.

At one point, the victim escaped from the smugglers' vehicle only to be caught. Then the smugglers kept him confined in their Perris home for two days until he was able to escape and seek help, authorities said.

Robles was held on $250,000 bail and Lopez was held without bail.

City News Service contributed to this report.