Missing Peninsula Teen Treated as Kidnapping
Updated 3:30 PM PST, Thu, Apr 16, 2009
San Mateo County sheriff's detectives today are following up on possible leads in the search for a teenage boy believed to have been abducted from his home this week, a lieutenant said.
Luis Antonio Ortiz, 17, called 911 around 9:15 p.m. Tuesday to report two men who may have been armed in his home in the 2800 block of Westmoreland Avenue in unincorporated Redwood City's North Fair Oaks neighborhood, according to sheriff's Lt. Ray Lunny.
Ortiz was babysitting his two younger brothers at the time, Lunny said.
When sheriff's deputies arrived at the home, they found the two boys but no sign of Ortiz -- except for his cell phone, which they found stained with blood in the backyard, according to Lunny.
Detectives are treating Ortiz's disappearance as an abduction, Lunny said. His younger brothers reportedly did not see or hear anything strange in the home when Ortiz went missing.
Authorities today are following up on several tips received since Ortiz disappeared, according to Lunny.
Family and friends of Ortiz said he is not involved in any gangs or other "high-risk lifestyles," Lunny said.
Ortiz is about 5 feet 6 inches tall, weighs 145 pounds, and has brown eyes, brown hair and an olive complexion.
Anyone who has information about Ortiz's whereabouts is asked to call the 24-hour San Mateo County communications line at 650-363-4911.
First Published: Apr 16, 2009 3:23 PM PST
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