Calexico police search for attempted kidnapping suspects

Woman describes frightening encounter in grocery store parking lot

CALEXICO, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) - The Calexico Police Department (CPD) is looking for a suspect in connection with an attempted kidnapping in the parking lot of a local grocery story.

Officers say it happened around 8:30 Tuesday night in the parking lot of Calexico's Food4Less. The alleged victim says she was leaving the store with her groceries when she noticed a white van slowly following her through the parking lot. She told police she became concerned when she noticed the suspect put on a black hoodie, pull the hood down over his eyebrows, and pull up a black nylon face mask.

Officers say she became fearful when she saw the van pull into a parking space near her car. She said when she saw the suspect get out of the van, she called her mother. Her mother then called police.

The white van was spotted leaving the parking lot as police interviewed the woman. An officer tried to get the driver to pull over, but he ignored the lights and siren, and sped off. CPD says the driver eventually lost control of the vehicle. It slammed into a fence at Imperial Ave West and Vernardo Drive, but the chase was not over.

Officers say three suspects ran from scene. One crossed all the lanes of Highway 111 on foot, and sprinted across the Hem's Mortuary parking lot. Surveillance video captures him changing his clothes and pulling off his face mask as he ran. Officers at the scene collected the clothing, and a backpack as evidence.

All three suspects managed to get away. CPD says, through surveillance video, they've identified the primary suspect as 41-year-old Detron Lee Williams. They have neither descriptions, nor identities for the other two suspects.

They also processed the van for evidence. It had stolen plates on it, and the VIN number traced back to a San Diego post office box.

Anyone with information on Williams' whereabouts, or who knows anything about this case, is urged to call the Calexico Police Department at (760) 768-2140.