Montebello missing family: Father booked on suspicion of murder, kidnapping

MONTEBELLO, Calif. (KABC) -- A father of four children who went missing from Montebello has been arrested for suspicion of murder and kidnapping, police said Friday.

Daniel Perez was taken into custody for child endangerment and kidnapping Thursday after a dramatic standoff with police on a San Diego County Freeway.

Following the standoff, he was transported to the Montebello police station. He was booked at the Montebello Jail for suspicion of murder and kidnapping. Bail is set at $1 million. He is due to be arraigned Monday.

Thursday's standoff began when El Cajon police spotted a car that was the subject of an Amber Alert. They determined Perez was the driver. A 20-minute chase ensued, leading to a standoff. During the standoff, police were able to take protective custody of the boys, who were inside the car.

The four boys, Jordan, 11, Alex, 6, Jaiden, 9, and Tristan, 8, have been reunited with family members, police said.

The Montebello Police Officers Association is setting up bank account for donations. Meantime, physical gifts for the boys can be dropped off at The Daily Brew Coffee Bar, located near the intersection of Montebello and Whittier boulevards in Montebello.

The body of Daniel Perez's 39-year-old wife, Erica, was found in the trunk of a car Wednesday night. Perez was named a person of interest in the homicide.

The family had been missing since Dec. 5.