A Mexican suspect who has been deported six times has been charged with attempted kidnapping after officials say he tried to lure an underage girl into his car in Alabama, according to reports.
The disturbing incident unfolded on New Year’s Eve outside a grocery store in Holtville, a community in Elmore County.
A Hispanic male approached a 17-year-old girl in the parking lot and convinced her to come near his car, according to Elmore County Sheriff Bill Franklin.
“He told her to get into the vehicle,” Sheriff Franklin told the Elmore Autauga News.
Due to a language barrier, the victim reportedly had difficulty understanding the suspect, who tried to show her something on his phone.
A man in the area noticed the girl appeared to be “in distress” and confronted the suspect, who got in his car and fled the scene.
After reviewing surveillance footage, the Elmore County Sheriff’s Office (ECSO) was able to “determine it was, in fact, a black Mitsubishi and displayed a Texas tag. We ran that tag and put out a Be On Look Out. Our investigative division worked with patrol and put the BOLO out across the River Region,” Sheriff Franklin stated.
Police in nearby Clanton located the Mitsubishi on Jan. 3 and detained the driver for questioning.
The suspect reportedly confirmed he had interacted with the victim, but claimed he had been asking about fireworks, which the girl denied.
He also told authorities he is an unemployed construction worker who lives in a trailer in Wetumpka, AL.
ECSO notified Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and learned the suspect, 31-year-old Yordy Noe Centeno-Melchor, has been removed from the U.S. on many occasions.
“Centeno has an extensive ICE encounter history that includes six previous removals and two federal convictions for illegal entry,” an ICE spokesperson informed 1819 News.
Six-Time Deported Mexican Illegal Arrested for Trying to Kidnap Underage Girl in Alabama on New Year's Eve
— Border Hawk (@BorderHawkNews) January 10, 2025
Yordy Noe Centeno-Melchor, 31, is facing second-degree attempted kidnapping charges
1819 News has published this breakdown of Centeno-Melchor's entry/removal history: pic.twitter.com/91YTsG7Ma2
Centeno-Melchor was charged with second-degree attempted kidnapping and ICE lodged a detainer against the Mexican national.
In a court filing, assistant District Attorney Josh Cochran requested Centeno-Melchor remain in Elmore County custody until the conclusion of his criminal case.
“The State is concerned that if the Defendant is released into the custody of ICE, he will be deported and he will never be held accountable for the crimes he has committed against a child victim in Elmore County,” Cochran stated.
🚨 Elmore County, AL: Yesterday, illegal alien Yordy Noe Centeno-Melchor was arrested for Attempted Kidnapping.
— Illegal Alien Crimes (@ImmigrantCrimes) January 4, 2025
He is accused of attempting to lure a 17-year-old girl into his car. pic.twitter.com/kLC1V6qHjq
Centeno-Melchor’s bond was set at $100,000.
An investigation is ongoing.
Authorities continue to catch dangerous foreign criminals illegally present in the U.S.
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