On Sunday, February 16, 2025, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD), Lakewood Station patrol deputies responded to the 9800 block of Cedar Street in the city of Bellflower, in response to a reported possible kidnapping. Multiple witnesses reported seeing an unidentified female, Hispanic adult (approx. 40 years of age) being physically assaulted by an unidentified adult male, Hispanic suspect.
The suspect physically removed the female victim from a red colored, 2005, Toyota Camry (CA. license plate #5NJW241) and forced her into a teal or green colored, 1997 Ford Explorer (CA. license plate #3XNZ003). The Ford Explorer then sped off east on Cedar Street. An unidentified female passenger exited the victims Toyota Camry and entered the driver’s seat where she proceeded to drive off, following the same direction of travel as the Ford Explorer.
Metro Detail detectives worked throughout the evening and into the following day and night to identify the still unidentified female victim and male suspect. Utilizing various law enforcement and investigative resources, a potential suspect and victim were identified.
On February 19, 2025, at about 02:30 AM, the suspect, Ramon Ballesteros, a resident of Los Angeles, was identified and taken into custody at a motel located in the 100 block of West Albertoni Street, in Carson. The victim was also located and found to have minor injuries possibly sustained during the assault and kidnapping. The female adult victim observed by witnesses and on video surveillance being assaulted was identified as the suspects girlfriend. Suspect Ramon Ballesteros was ultimately arrested for kidnapping, and he remains in-custody on $100,000 bail. There are no other outstanding suspects and both of the wanted vehicles have been located and are accounted for.
The facts of this case will be presented to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office in the near future for a consideration of filing criminal charges.
Anyone who may have witnessed the incident or may have any information are encouraged to contact the Major Crimes Bureau – Metro Detail, (562)946-7893, or if you would like to remain anonymous, you may call Crime Stoppers at (800)222-8477, or on-line at www.p3tips.com.
Forwarded by:
Sheriff's Information Bureau
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department
211 West Temple Street,
Los Angeles California 90012
213-229-1700
ORIGINAL PRESS RELEASE FOLLOWS:
On Sunday, February 16, 2025, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD), Lakewood Station patrol deputies responded to the 9800 block of Cedar Street in the city of Bellflower, in response to a reported possible kidnapping. Witnesses reported seeing an unidentified female adult / victim (Hispanic, approximately 40 years old) being physically assaulted by an unidentified male adult / suspect (Hispanic, approximately 30 years old).
The suspect physically removed the female victim from a red colored, 2005, Toyota Camry (CA. license plate #5NJW241) and forced her into a teal or green colored, 1997 Ford Explorer (CA. license plate #3XNZ003). The Ford Explorer then sped off east on Cedar Street. An unidentified female passenger exited the victims Toyota Camry and entered the driver’s seat where she proceeded to drive off, following the same direction of travel as the Ford Explorer.
Major Crimes Bureau - Metro Detail detectives worked throughout the day and evening attempting to locate both vehicles and the still unidentified victim and suspect(s). It is believed the female victim knows the suspect(s) and that she was taken by the suspect(s) against her will and is in physical danger. To date, the female victim has not been identified, nor has anyone matching her physical description been reported missing to local law enforcement.
Anyone who may have witnessed the incident or may have any information are encouraged to contact Lakewood Sheriff’s Station at (562)920-5100, or if you would like to remain anonymous, you may call Crime Stoppers at (800)222-8477, or on-line at www.p3tips.com.
Forwarded by:
Sheriff's Information Bureau
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department
211 West Temple Street,
Los Angeles California 90012
213-229-1700
http://www.lasd.org
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Robert G. Luna, Sheriff
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department
Address/Location
LASD - Los Angeles County Sheriffs Dept Information Bureau (SIB)
211 W Temple St
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Contact
Emergency: 9-1-1
Non-emergencies: 213-229-1700
