Behind the Badge
A Costa Mesa man who early Friday morning last week invited a woman he met through an Internet ad to meet him in a room at a Garden Grove motel got much more than he bargained for.
And today, Friday, Aug, 22, five people – including a brother and sister — are in custody on suspicion of kidnapping, robbery and carjacking, Garden Grove police said.
Police provided the following account of what led to the arrests:
At around 3:30 a.m. Aug. 15, the 38-year-old Costa Mesa man arrived at the Garden Grove Inn, 7912 Garden Grove Blvd., and met up with the female suspect in a room.
Police identified that woman as Fiona Temukisa Fiaseu, 26.
Soon, two males entered the room, according to a Garden Grove PD news release.
The two men threatened the victim with a handgun and then punched and kicked him, the news release said. They then took his wallet, phone and car keys.
A short time later, two other men arrived at the motel room, according to the news release.
The suspects then forced the victim into his vehicle and transported him to several ATMs where they attempted to force him to withdraw money.
The suspects held the victim for about two hours before releasing him in Costa Mesa — sans his wallet, keys and car.
At around 6:30 a.m. that morning, the victim reported the crime to Garden Grove PD.
Later that day, Fiona Fiaseu and two male suspects were identified, located and arrested. As the investigation continued, a fourth suspect was arrested Monday, Aug. 19, and a fifth and final suspect was arrested Thursday, Aug. 21.
In addition to Fiona Fiaseu, the suspects are her brother, Finau Taumaava Fiaseu, 24; Soane Venasio Lelenoa, 25; Francisco Javier Vazquez, 20; and Timothy Joseph Perez, 23.
The victim’s vehicle has been recovered and no suspects are outstanding, Garden Grove Police Lt. Ben Stauffer said.
Stauffer said the suspects were unsuccessful in getting any money out of the ATMs.
