HOUSTON — A man arrested in Houston has been linked to the kidnapping of a pregnant woman in the state of Washington.
Jackelin Perez, 21, was found alive in Mexico on Wednesday. According to police, she was kidnapped at gunpoint from her apartment in Auburn, Washington on Sunday, Oct. 13.
Investigators said she had recently moved to Washington from Guatemala with her husband and was about six weeks pregnant.
Investigators said several people are being investigated in connection with the investigation, including Perez's husband. Police said Perez's husband got home about 20 minutes after his wife was taken but he didn't call police until the next morning.
"He didn't call us until Monday morning. She was taken Sunday, the 13th, between 6 and 7 p.m., and then he didn't call us until I think 7 a.m. or so the next morning," Auburn Police Department spokesperson Kolby Crossley said.
Authorities said Perez was taken to Mexico and then released. It's unclear why the kidnappers left her there.
"There is a lot to still go over," said Crossley. "But the good news is, the great news is, is that she was found and that she is safe."
The 24-year-old suspect arrested in Houston will be extradited to Washington. Police believe more people are involved and there could be more charges filed.
"We believe the kidnapping was related to illegal activity in which she was not involved," the Auburn Police Department said in a social media post.
King 5, our sister station in Seattle, reports Perez returned to Guatemala and plans to stay there.