The suspect who allegedly kidnapped, killed and raped a Merced (California)Family had worked once for the family business before they began a long-standing feud.
On Wednesday, the bodies of all four members of the family, including an infant, were discovered in an almond orchard located in Dos Palos. The family – whose trucking business was located 30 miles south in Merced – had been missing since Monday morning.
Aroohi, an 8-month old baby, was found unaffected by trauma. According to Vernon Warnke of Merced County, an autopsy will take place. Her parents – Jasleen Kaur, 27, and Jasdeep Singh, 36 were all found dead, along with Aroohi’s 39-year-old uncle, Amandeep Singh.
Authorities are still investigating the circumstances of the deaths and have not yet discussed the condition of the adult remains.
CALIFORNIA KIDNAPPING PERSON IN INTEREST IN CUSTODY AFTER USING A MISSING VICTIM’S CREDIT CARD
Merced County officials found the bodies of 8-month-old Aroohi Dheri, her parents – Jasleen Kaur and Jasdeep Singh – and uncle Amandeep Singh on Oct. 5, 2022.
(Merced County Sheriff’s Office).
Jesus Salgado (48 years old) was arrested Tuesday after he used a victim’s Atwater credit card. The suspect attempted suicide and was kept in hospital on Thursday.
They were Punjabi Sikhs and owned Unison Trucking Inc., Merced. Salgado was not mentioned in details. Vern Warnke, Merced County Sheriff, said that the feud “got pretty ugly” through text messages.
Sheriff Warnke stated that the murder was the most serious crime he had seen in his 43-year career as a law enforcement officer. He recommends that the prosecutors seek death penalty.
KIDNAPPED CALIFORNIA FAMILIES: MERCED OFFICIALS FOUND MISSING UNCLE’S TRRUCK ON FIRE
Jesus Salgado is the suspect. He allegedly kidnapped a girl aged 8 months, her mother, father, and uncle from their business Monday, Oct. 3, 2022 in Merced.
(California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation via AP).
“There’s some things you’ll take to the grave. Warnke declared, “This was pure evil to me.”
Salgado is a former criminal defendant, having been convicted in Merced County of first-degree robbery using a firearm. He was also found guilty for attempted false imprisonment and attempting to prevent or dissuade victims or witnesses.
He was sentenced to 11 years imprisonment in a state prison and released in 2015. According to the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, Salgado was released from parole after three-years.
Vern Warnke of Merced County speaks at a press conference about the kidnapping and abduction of Aroohi (age 8 months), her mother Jasleenkaur, Jasdeep Singh, Amandeep Singh, and their uncle Amandeep Singh in Merced. This was on Wednesday, October 5, 2022.
(Andrew Kuhn/The Merced Star via AP
Sheriff Warnke stated that Salgado’s family called the authorities and informed them that he had confessed to the kidnapping.
Surveillance footage was released by authorities showing the suspect walking along the property of the family, before speaking with one of the men. The suspect led the men out of the house shortly thereafter. Business trailerAnd into Amandeep Sing’s pickup truck.
Jasleenkaur, carrying Aroohi with her, was led into the truck by the suspect. The truck was then driven away just before 9:30 am on Monday.
The surveillance image from Merced County Sheriff’s Office shows a suspect in kidnapping four family members, including an infant child of 8 months.
(Merced County Sheriff’s Office via AP
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Hours later, firefighters found Amandeep Singh’s truck on fire in Winton, which is 10 miles north of Merced. Police officers went to Singh’s home, where a family member reported their relatives missing after failing to reach them.
Authorities are seeking someone who may have acted as Salgado’s accomplice as the investigation continues.
This report was compiled by Audrey Conklin of Fox News and the Associated Press.
