Burien, WA — Two men are now facing severe legal consequences after they were charged with the kidnapping, torture, and attempted murder of a 58-year-old woman in an ordeal that spanned across Washington state. The incident, starting in suburban Seattle and ending in a desolate area along Interstate 90, crossed county lines and involved extreme acts of violence, according to authorities.
The suspects, identified by the King County Sheriff’s Office as Kevin Daniel Sanabria Ojeda, 24, and Alexander Moises Arnaez-Gutierrez, 25, allegedly abducted the woman outside her Burien apartment on January 21. According to court documents, as the woman returned from work late in the evening, she was forcibly pulled into a vehicle and subjected to gunfire during a subsequent struggle.
As they transported her towards the Cascade Mountains, the assailants reportedly attempted to extract personal and financial information from her, using a power drill on her hand in a horrifying method of coercion. Fear escalated as they allegedly continued to threaten her life and the safety of her family, claiming they would leave her in the wilderness for animals, according to arrest report excerpts noted by local media.
In a desperate bid for survival, the situation reached its near-fatal conclusion in Kittitas County. Here, according to prosecutors, the woman was shot and left by the roadside, presumed dead by her attackers. However, she survived this gruesome assault, managing to signal for help after the suspects fled.
She was quickly transported to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, where she later recounted the harrowing events to detectives, clarifying that she played dead after being shot in the shoulder—a move that likely saved her life.
The investigation into this violent attack extended beyond state lines. Sanabria Ojeda was apprehended in Illinois, where detectives located him at a motel a few days following the crime. During the search of his room, authorities found stolen jewelry belonging to the victim. His subsequent interrogation, after being Mirandized, led to a confession of involvement in the criminal acts, although he later entered a plea of not guilty in court.
Compounding the complexity of the case, Arnaez-Gutierrez was arrested during a traffic stop by police on Mercer Island. He is expected to be arraigned on April 24. Notably, detectives have indicated he may have connections to Tren de Aragua, a Venezuelan gang notorious for its violent activities and suspected expanding influence in the U.S., reflecting a potentially broader criminal network involvement.
Both men are currently held in custody with bail set at $1 million each, reflecting the severity of the charges against them, which include kidnapping, attempted murder, and robbery. Authorities also disclosed that investigations are ongoing, with a third suspect known only by the name “Daniel” still at large.
This violent episode has not only underscored the brutal nature of the crimes but has also highlighted the extended reach and potential international ties that could influence criminal activity within local communities. As this case continues to unfold, it remains a poignant reminder of the challenges law enforcement faces in confronting and curbing organized and transnational crime.