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Police arrest kidnapping, beating suspect

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Costa Mesa police arrested a man Thursday on suspicion of kidnapping and assaulting his ex-wife’s boyfriend.

Carmen Mendez-Silva, 34, of Santa Ana and a second man beat the victim with a pipe or bat Wednesday and threatened him with further harm if he did not move out of his Costa Mesa apartment, police said.

The victim was then allegedly placed in the trunk of a car and driven to Huntington Beach, where he was released.

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Police were initially called to the Fillmore Way home of Mendez-Silva’s ex-wife on a child custody issue. She told police the suspect was supposed to meet her with her children, 11 and 5, at a McDonald’s, but he did not show.

Police said he had instead left the children at his home and drove to his ex-wife’s apartment to confront the victim.

After police contacted Mendez-Silva by phone later Wednesday, his 11-year-old daughter returned home on foot telling police her father dropped her off a few blocks away. A 5-year-old son arrived home in a taxi.

At that time the woman was not aware of the assault, according to police, and may have believed her boyfriend had gone to work.

It wasn’t until after midnight that police were made aware of the assault and kidnapping after being contacted by officials at a Huntington Beach hospital, where the victim was treated for serious bruises.

About 9 a.m., Mendez-Silva’s ex-wife again called police because he told her that he would kill her if she did not come back to him, according to police.

She also said he was bringing a gun to kill her and that he threatened to take her children and flee to Mexico, if she called police.

As police were driving to her home, they were notified that the suspect was at her apartment. By the time they arrived, Mendez-Silva had left in a black Honda hatchback.

About 7 p.m. patrol officers spotted him in the area of Fairview Road and Baker Street in Costa Mesa. He was followed to Raitt Street and Edinger Avenue in Santa Ana, where police officials approached him.

Police said he attempted to flee on foot but was apprehended by a parole agent and an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent.

Mendez-Silva has been previously deported and is in the United States illegally, according to police. He is being held without bail on a federal immigration hold.

Police are trying to identify and apprehend the second suspect. Police are asking anyone with information to call (714) 754-5395, (714) 754-5356 or (714) 754-5197.

dailypilot@latimes.com

Twitter: @TheDailyPilot

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