A man suspected of terrorizing Mexican nationals in the area has been charged in connection with the kidnapping and shooting of a Kearns man Sunday.
Rosario "El Diablo" A. Alvarado, 23, Salt Lake City, was charged Friday in 3rd District Court with three counts of aggravated kidnapping, first-degree felonies; aggravated burglary, a first-degree felony; theft, a second-degree felony; and aggravated assault, a third-degree felony. He is being held at the Salt Lake County Jail in lieu of $100,000 bail.According to the charges, Sergio Rocha and his family were at their home, 4115 W. 4775 South, Sunday when three men wearing masks broke into the house. Two of the men were holding guns.
The men cut the telephone electrical wires and used them to tie Rocha, his wife, Maria Rocha, and his brother, Cesar Rocha, the charges state. The men also covered the victims' heads with towels and blankets.
Sergio Rocha recognized the voice of the man who appeared to be in charge, who "asked for money and repeatedly threatened to kill Sergio and his family if he didn't get any," the charges state. When Sergio Rocha said he didn't have any money, the man shot him in the leg.
Rocha then told the men he could get money at the place where he works, and they agreed to take him there. The four drove in Rocha's truck to Rocha's workplace, but when they got there Rocha told the men he didn't know the alarm code but that he could get it from his supervisor, the charges state.
The men then drove Rocha to his supervisor's home to get the code.
"En route, the bandits took off their face masks, and Sergio recognized the man in charge as Rosario Alvarado," the charges state.
Once at the supervisor's home, the residents refused to let the men in. The three men fled in Rocha's truck leaving Rocha behind.
Authorities later found Rocha on the porch of his supervisor's house. Rocha was taken to University Hospital for treatment.
Police arrested Alvarado Tuesday after an investigation revealed he was the alleged ring leader in Sunday's incident. The two other men are still being sought.
During a press conference Tuesday, Salt Lake County Sheriff Aaron Kennard called upon Mexican nationals in the area to provide information that may incriminate Alvarado in as many as 100 crimes.
Kennard said Alvarado preys on victims whom he believes are unlikely to go to police for help because they are in the United States illegally. Alvarado is currently a suspect in 50 different crimes against known Mexican nationals that have taken place over the past six months.