In a outstanding flip of occasions, Luis Armando Albino, who was kidnapped on the age of six from an Oakland, California park in 1951, has been discovered greater than seven many years later. As per the data, a web based ancestry check, previous pictures, and newspaper clippings led to his discovering. The Bay Space Information Group reported on Friday that Albino’s niece, Alida Alequin, with the assistance of native police, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and the Justice Division, tracked down her long-lost uncle who was residing on the East Coast.
Albino, now a retired firefighter and Marine Corps veteran who served in Vietnam, was reunited along with his California household in June. The kidnapping occurred on February 21, 1951, when a girl lured the 6-year-old Puerto Rico-born boy away from a West Oakland park, the place he had been enjoying along with his older brother, by promising him sweet in Spanish. As an alternative, the girl kidnapped him and flew him to the East Coast, the place he was raised by a pair as their very own son. Officers and relations haven’t disclosed Albino’s actual location on the East Coast, however the discovery marks the top of a 73-year thriller.
What did Oakland police say?
For greater than 70 years Albino remained lacking, however he was all the time within the hearts of his household and his picture hung at family’ homes, his niece stated. His mom died in 2005 however by no means gave up hope that her son was alive. Oakland police acknowledged that Alequin’s efforts “performed an integral position to find her uncle” and that “the end result of this story is what we attempt for.” In an interview with the information group, she stated her uncle “hugged me and stated, ‘Thanks for locating me’ and gave me a kiss on the cheek.”
The primary notion that her uncle could be nonetheless alive got here in 2020 when, “only for enjoyable,” Alequin stated, she took a web based DNA check. It confirmed a 22 p.c match with a person who ultimately turned out to be her uncle. An extra search on the time yielded no solutions or any response from him, she stated. In early 2024, she and her daughters started looking once more. On a go to to the Oakland Public Library, she checked out microfilm of Tribune articles — together with one which had an image of Luis and Roger — which satisfied her that she was heading in the right direction. She went to the Oakland police the identical day.
Albino was positioned on the East Coast
Investigators ultimately agreed the brand new lead was substantial, and a brand new lacking individuals case was opened. Oakland police stated final week that the lacking individuals case is closed, however they and the FBI take into account the kidnapping a still-open investigation. Albino was positioned on the East Coast and offered a DNA pattern, as did his sister, Alequin’s mom. On June 20, investigators went to her mom’s house and informed them each that her uncle had been discovered, Alequin stated.
On June 24, with the help of the FBI, Luis got here to Oakland with members of his household and met with Alequin, her mom and different family. The subsequent day Alequin drove her mom and her newfound uncle to Roger’s house in Stanislaus County, California. “They grabbed one another and had a very tight, lengthy hug. They sat down and simply talked,” she stated, discussing the day of the kidnapping, their army service and extra. Luis returned to the East Coast however got here again once more in July for a three-week go to. It was the final time he noticed Roger, who died in August.
(With inputs from AP)
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