Man who kidnapped niece from Charlotte caught in SC, police say

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Troopers with the South Carolina Highway Patrol arrested a man who is accused of kidnapping a 12-year-old girl in Charlotte.

Cristino Leon was taken into custody at about 7 p.m. Sunday during a traffic stop in Spartanburg County.

The child's mother, Guillermina Leon, told police she left for work Saturday around 6:30 a.m. She said when she returned to her East Charlotte home, she found her sister Clementina tied up with duct tape her 12-year old daughter missing.

Police said their brother, Cristino Leon, came into the apartment while Clementina was asleep. Even though she tried to fight him off, he tied her up and kidnapped her niece, police said.

The family's pastor told Eyewitness News that the girl's mother was horrified.

 "She called me and told me what happened," said Felipe Garcia.

Church members said the family asked the church for support and prayer. Soon there was relief for everyone. Officers said the girl jumped out of the car when her uncle stopped for food just off of Interstate 85 in Jefferson, Georgia. She asked a stranger to call police.

Neighbors told Channel 9 that the story is unbelievable.  "That's unimaginable. I would go crazy. I can't even think about that. That's heartbreaking," said neighbor Lakeisha Walton.

The child was back at home Sunday afternoon. Investigators did not release a motive behind the crime.

Leon is being transferred back to Mecklenburg County to face charges Monday morning.

WSOC