Perris Couple Held For Allegedly Holding Immigrant Hostage

PERRIS (AP)  — Authorities say two people have been arrested on suspicion of holding a man they had smuggled from Mexico for ransom in their Riverside County home.

Sheriff's Sgt. Scott Forbes tells the Press-Enterprise of Riverside that officers were called to the Perris residence Monday after the man escaped and ran to a nearby home for help.

Forbes says the man told investigators the couple had threatened to torture and kill him when he said he didn't have enough money to pay the smuggling fee.

Forbes says the couple held the man for two days but did not injure him.

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