Wednesday, February 13, 2008

2/9/2008 8:13 AM
By: Heidi Zhou

The Jaimes family now locks their car doors when they're inside, a defensive action they've learned after four men snatched 5-year-old Adrian from their SUV Thursday.

Another family defense is privacy.

The family declined to be interviewed, but they did talk to us off-camera.

They said Adrian told them he was never hurt.

He said he spent most of the 12 hours inside a house, watching a movie and eating.

Police said the suspects decided to release Adrian when they could no longer handle the publicity.

They said that once free, the boy found the nearest adult and asked for help.

Family spokesperson Thomas Fagerberg credited the police.

"I think all the law enforcement working together made this place very small for the cretins who did this, Fagerberg said. "I think they sent the message this is not the place to do it."

Adrian's family said the boy's now almost back to normal, but quiets down if you ask for more details.

They sent a family spokesperson to thank the public for their help.

"They want to express their profound gratitude to everyone involved," Fagerberg said.

Police said the person who deserves the most praise is Adrian's sister, 10-year-old Zuleima Jaimes, who called 911 when her brother was taken.

Police awarded Zuleima for making that call, although she was too afraid to come out to accept it.

Ten-year-old Zuleima Jaimes immediately called 911 when her brother was kidnapped.

Now they're determined to help the Jaimes family put away that fear, by putting away the kidnappers.

Police say they still need the public's help in solving the case.

They're looking for four men in their late teens who drive a grey Jetta with tinted windows.

If you have any information, call the APD tip line at (512) 477-3588

Emphasis added by H4K Editor