4 Montebello boys rescued; father in custody in SD County
SANTEE, Calif. (KABC) -- Daniel Perez, the Montebello father of the four missing children, was taken into custody Thursday following a dramatic standoff and rescue of his four sons on a San Diego County freeway.
The body found in the trunk of a Honda Wednesday was identified as Daniel Perez's wife, 39-year-old Erica Perez.
The missing family was located in Santee after El Cajon police spotted the car that was the subject of an Amber Alert. Police began following the Toyota Camry and determined that the driver was 43-year-old Daniel Perez.
"It was a dangerous situation. We knew there were children involved, possibly weapons," said San Diego County Sheriff's Department Capt. Dave Moss.
PHOTOS: Amber Alert standoff ends on San Diego County freeway
After a 20-minute chase, the Camry stopped on the SR-52 ramp to the southbound SR-67 at about 8:30 a.m.
A police negotiator spoke by phone with Perez, who released two boys. Police sensed a sudden change in demeanor and sent in armored vehicles from both directions to block the car around 9:50 a.m.
About an hour into the standoff, two additional boys exited the vehicle with their father, Daniel Perez. Police feared Perez might kill himself and his boys. It appeared as though Perez considered jumping off the 200-foot overpass.
"When the children came out of the car, in a sense, that forced our hand. It appeared that either he wanted to throw himself off the bridge or his children," Moss said.
When Perez appeared to make a last-ditch effort to get away, officers in tactical gear quickly moved in.
"It was great to see it come to that conclusion. It was sheer joy when that happened," said Montebello Police Capt. Luis Lopez.
Authorities say Daniel Perez had been in the San Diego area for the past several days, but did not elaborate.
The couple's four sons -- Jordan, 11, Alex, 6, Jaiden, 9, and Tristan, 8 -- were last seen Friday night when Daniel picked them up from a family member's home. Erica was not with him at the time.
Records show that the couple had joint legal custody of their children. Erica had physical custody, while Daniel had visitation rights. The couple's marriage was unstable, according to family members, and they had a history of domestic violence.
On Wednesday, Erica Perez's body was found in the trunk of a Honda belonging to the family.
"We can't release any information as to manner of death or as to any evidence as it could compromise the investigation," Lopez said.
Daniel Perez is considered a person of interest in the homicide. Police found the car about a half-mile from the couple's home in Montebello.
"Last night, the Montebello Police Department was in contact with LoJack right after our press conference and were able to turn on the LoJack in that vehicle because it was a newer car," Lopez said.
LoJack, a vehicle recovery system, alerted San Diego authorities and "got the Amber Alert going," Lopez said.
VIDEO: Montebello suspect exits car with kids in SD County
The Amber Alert was issued for a 2014 black Toyota Camry, which eventually led to the standoff in San Diego County. At one point, little hands could be seen waving out of the windows -- a tactic often used by law enforcement to show proof of life.
"It looked like the kids were going to try to run back to the police, but it seemed like maybe the father was telling them not to," Lopez said.
The remaining two boys in the vehicle ran to officers, and the suspect was shot with a non-lethal bean bag and taken into custody.
Jacinto Talamante says he watched his neighbor's arrest on live TV.
"We were just looking at each other, me and my wife, and were like, 'man, these are our neighbors,'" said Talamante. "They didn't really fit the profile of a disgruntled family, but then again, you never know."
The children were not physically hurt and were released into the custody of the L.A. County Department of Family Services. Records show that the couple had a fifth child, and police say that child was not kidnapped with the others and is safe.
Daniel Perez was transported back to Montebello at about 2:30 p.m. to be questioned in his wife's murder.
Meantime, Perez's relatives say he is not capable of killing his wife.
"All I know about my cousin is he was always hardworking. He always had jobs to make sure he had to provide for himself or his kids," said Mark Castillo, Perez's cousin.
As of this time, Perez, however, is facing kidnapping charges.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
