2 Suspects Charged In Kidnapping Of 10-Year-Old Northridge Girl
LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — A suspect in the March 27 kidnapping of a 10-year-old Northridge girl entered a not guilty plea Wednesday, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office.
Daniel Martinez, 29, of West Hills, was charged with one felony count each of kidnapping a minor under 14 and first-degree burglary with a person present.
Martinez is one of two men accused in the nearly 12-hour abduction of the victim, who was taken from her bedroom around 3 a.m. and later found in a Starbucks parking lot.
Charging documents say Summers used a knife to abduct the girl.
"Martinez was allegedly waiting in a car outside a Northridge residence when co-defendant Tobias Summers, 32, allegedly emerged from the house with the 10-year-old victim," the District Attorney's Office said in a statement. "Martinez allegedly drove a short way before leaving the car."
Summers, who remains at large, has been charged with kidnapping a minor under 14, first-degree burglary with a person present and nearly three dozen counts of sexual assault.
Police told KCAL9's Andrea Fujii they were following up on more than 130 tips regarding Summers' whereabouts. Officials said Summers might have shaved off his hair to change his appearance. They also believe he might be in the San Diego area or Mexico.
Prosecutors asked that Martinez's bail be set at $150,000. Authorities said that if convicted, he faces 12 years in prison.
When captured, authorities said they will set bail for Summers at $19 million. If convicted, he faces several life terms in prison.
