Police Seek Help in Locating Kidnapping Suspects

The Riverside County Sheriff's Department is asking for the public's help in providing information leading to the capture of a Menifee woman and Fallbrook man who are suspects in a kidnapping in Menifee.

Jacqueline Smith-Perez, 31, of Menifee and Nathan Lopez, also 31, are being sought in connection to an Aug. 9 kidnapping for ransom, according to a news release. On that day, a woman was taken from her residence in the 27000 block of Holland Road in Menifee by two armed suspects, police said. The victim reported she was forced to obtain money to repay a debut and secure her release.

The suspects in that incident were identified as Lopez and Jesse Aaron, 32, also of Fallbrook. Some time later, the victim was returned to safety when a Murrieta Police Department officer conducting a routine traffic stop near the intersection of Antelope Road and Keller Road detained Aaron and discovered the victim in the car. Aaron was booked at Southwest Detention Center for kidnapping and false imprisonment. Lopez remained at large.

On Aug. 18, Sheriff's deputies from the Menifee Police Special Enforcement Team served a search warrant at a reidence in the 1200 block of Juliette Place in Fallbrook, assisted by San Diego Sheriff's deputies and a DEA Narcotics Task Force. Jedediah Shaw, 31, fled the location and was apprehended in a nearby back yard. Kelly Crossmen, 27, was detained in the house. Both were identified as residents of Fallbrook who were complicit in the kidnapping. An illegal firearm and ammunition and 15 ounces of methamphetamine were found in the house. Shaw and Crossmen were booked for kidnapping and drug sales.

The Riverside County District Attorney's Office has issued additional arrest warrants for Lopez and Smith-Perez, who also is implicated in the crimes. Information on Smith-Perez's role in the crime was not released by police.

Anyone encountering these suspects is asked to call 911 to report the sighting. Anyone with information can also call Officer Cardinale at 951-210-1000 or by email at PerrisStation@RiversideSheriff.org.