Police fear violence from border-related kidnappings

Ransoms high, cases rising

Lindsey Collom
The Arizona Republic
Feb. 26, 2008 12:00 AM

The brother of a drug pusher taken from a roadside stop. Three suspected coyotes bound and beaten as a fourth points out their boss' west Phoenix address. A low-level smuggling boss forced from his home at gunpoint as his wife and young children watch.

These are the victims when criminals kidnap other criminals for up to six-figure ransoms.

Phoenix police investigated 40 percent more border-related kidnappings in 2007 than the previous year. Police say the uptick means more kidnappings are taking place and more people are reporting them.

Authorities worry the escalating violence could harm innocent people, be they caught in the crossfire or targets for abduction.

"There's extreme violence from both sides, lots of money and lots of weapons," said Phoenix robbery Sgt. Phil Roberts. Some battles have erupted in gunfire on city streets. "The immediate danger is that innocent people will get caught up in it."