Illegal Immigrant Charged in Jasper Kidnap Attempt

An illegal immigrant is charged with an attempted kidnapping in Jasper.    Bernardo Castro-Gabriel -- also known as Omar Sanchez-- tried to abduct a woman at Gamble Park on Thursday, police said.   The man grabbed the victim while she was jogging, and pulled her to the ground by her ponytail, then began dragging her to his car, but she fought him off, and escaped, investigators said.  Castro-Gabriel also tried to lure two teenagers into his vehicle before the failed kidnapping, detectives said.  The suspect, a Guatemalan, has been in the U.S. illegally for approximately five years, authorities said.   U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has been notified, and is expected to issue an immigration detainer.  Walker County Sheriff Jim Underwood said Castro-Gabriel was the primary suspect several years ago when a 12-year-old Hispanic girl vanished from a local trailer park.   The girl was later found in Arizona.  The sheriff said it appeared to be a case of human trafficking.   His arrest comes just days after an illegal immigrant, Christhian Rivera, was arrested and charged with the murder of Iowa college student Mollie Tibbetts.    Castro-Gabriel was ordered held on $1 million dollars cash bond.


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