Press Releases

On June 25, 2009, at approximately 4:30am, the Salinas Police Department received a call from the mother of Maria Roldan, age 11. We were advised that Roldan had just left her residence in the company of Joventino Benegas, age 21. Roldan and Benegas are not related but the scope of their relationship is unknown. Benegas was last known driving a green Daewoo with paper plates. Officers actively looked for Roldan and Benegas throughout the morning but where not able to locate them or the vehicle.

 

An Amber Alert was activated when information was received that Benegas might be enroute to Honduras with Roldan. At approximately 3:30pm, Salinas Police detectives were able to find the vehicle and followed it to a motel on the east side of Salinas. Roldan was found in a room at the motel, uninjured. Benegas was not located.

 

This investigation is ongoing and Benegas is currently wanted for child abduction. Anyone with information about this case, or the whereabouts of Joventino Benegas, is asked to call the Salinas Police Department at (831) 758-7321. If you would like to remain anonymous, you can call the Salinas Police Department Tip Line at (831) 775-4222, or the We-Tip Line at 1(800) 78-CRIME, or text information to the Text Tip Line with the code “SPD831” to “847411.”