Family rescues boy after stranger promised toys


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The Miami-Dade Police Department stated that Jose Reynaldo Martinez Reyes approached the boy around 2:30 p.m. on Saturday. Surveillance footage obtained by WTVJ-TV depicts the man playing soccer with the boy outside his residence.

Authorities claim Martinez Reyes “lured” the boy away from the Northwest Miami home on foot, luring him with the promise of purchasing a toy.

“The guy came over to me and said, ‘Do you wanna come with me?’ And I said sure,” 6-year-old Jake Rivera told WTVJ.

The young boy had been playing soccer with his 15-year-old brother in front of their home, but the older sibling went inside to use the bathroom. When he returned and couldn’t find the boy, he immediately notified his adult cousin.

“I was sleeping and my cousin woke me up and said my little cousin was abducted by a man,” said Alfredo Velasquez, the boy’s cousin.

According to police, “Upon noticing that the victim was missing, his brother and an adult family friend began frantically searching for him. The pair located the victim and subject over a mile away from the residence, walking along the roadway hand in hand.”

Velasquez stated there was a physical altercation with the alleged kidnapper. “His older brother came in, pushed him and punched him just to get his brother back, put him in the car,” Velasquez told WTVJ.

The child was removed from the alleged kidnapper and placed in a waiting car. Police arrived at the scene to find a civilian detaining Martinez Reyes.

During the investigation, detectives determined Martinez Reyes had no familial ties to the boy. Martinez Reyes was arrested and charged with kidnapping and interference with custody.

Police are urging anyone with information regarding the suspect or incident to contact Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-8477.

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