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Police seek kidnappers
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The search for a couple who robbed and kidnapped a Turlock woman outside a downtown bank on Friday is still ongoing.


The 55-year-old woman was not injured during the ordeal, but she told police she feared for her life if she hadn’t complied with the suspects’ orders.
The woman had walked to the Bank of America branch at 501 E. Main St., around 3:30 p.m. Friday and withdrew a large sum of cash, said Turlock Police Lt. Ron Reid.


As she left the bank she saw a woman who appeared to be very ill. The woman, speaking in Spanish, asked for help just as a man came up offering his assistance. The man suggested they help the woman into a van and when the 55-year-old got inside to help the woman in, the two suddenly turned on her and demanded all her money, Reid said.


The couple shut the woman in the van and drove away from the bank. They dropped her off in a church parking lot about two miles away, then fled the scene, taking all her money with them.


No weapons were seen during the incident, Reid said.


The suspects were described as a Hispanic man and woman both in their mid 30s. The man has a slim build and light skin with brown hair. He is about 5 feet, 7 inches tall and 150 pounds. The woman has a stocky build, standing about 5 feet, 3 inches tall and 160 pounds. She has light skin and brown hair.


The van they were driving is a 1990s cream or tan Dodge Caravan with a partial license plate number of 5U or 5D.


Anyone with information about the robbery is asked to contact the Turlock Police Department at 668-5550 or Crime Stoppers at 521-4636. Callers to Crime Stoppers can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a cash reward.
To contact Sabra Stafford, e-mail sstafford@turlockjournal.com or call 634-9141 ext. 2002.