KDSN Radio

 

The children, a 4-year-old girl and a 3-year-old boy, were taken from the residence during the incident. Both children sustained minor injuries.

 

During the incident, the suspects also took the woman's cell phone from the residence. The victim reported that the suspects threatened to kill the children if she contacted police. Investigators later determined that the woman's phone was thrown from a vehicle, preventing her from using it to immediately contact police for assistance.

 

The mother sustained injuries during the assault and was transported to Buena Vista Regional Medical Center, where she was treated and released.

 

Officers responding to the scene obtained a description of the suspect vehicle. Investigators utilized investigative technology and resources to identify the vehicle and obtain its make, model, license plate number, and last known direction of travel. The vehicle was identified as a blue Nissan Altima with Nevada license plates.

 

Information developed during the investigation allowed officers to quickly provide surrounding law enforcement agencies with identifying information about the vehicle, as well as its direction of travel.

 

As officers worked to obtain an Amber Alert, the Storm Lake Police Department issued an area-wide BOLO (Be On the Lookout) broadcast to surrounding law enforcement agencies. The BOLO included information about the suspect vehicle and the children.

While officers were working to obtain the Amber Alert, the suspect vehicle was located and stopped by law enforcement in Algona, Iowa. Three suspects were detained by the Algona Police Department, Iowa State Patrol, and Iowa Department of Natural Resources.

 

One of the suspects was identified as the estranged father of the children. At the time of the incident, there was an active no-contact order prohibiting the suspect from having contact with the children's mother.

 

Storm Lake Police Department investigators traveled to Algona and interviewed the three suspects. Officers also recovered property that had been removed from the victim's residence during the burglary and abduction.

 

Storm Lake Police officers subsequently transported the three suspects back to Storm Lake, where they were booked into the Buena Vista County Jail on the following charges:

 

Carlos Daniel Garciarena, 24, of Algona, Iowa

Assault Committed by a Person Against Whom a Protection Order Has Been Issued — Class D Felony

Burglary in the 1st Degree — Class B Felony

2 counts of Child Stealing — Class C Felony

Obstruction of Emergency Communication Devices — Simple Misdemeanor

2 counts of Child Endangerment Causing Bodily Injury — Class D Felony

Impersonating a Public Official — Aggravated Misdemeanor

 

Mailet De La Caridad Monteagudo, 22, of Algona, Iowa

Burglary in the 1st Degree — Class B Felony

2 counts of Child Stealing — Class C Felony

Impersonating a Public Official — Aggravated Misdemeanor

 

Sammy Tarik Shamma, 19, of Algona, Iowa

Burglary in the 1st Degree — Class B Felony

2 counts of Child Stealing — Class C Felony

Impersonating a Public Official — Aggravated Misdemeanor

 

All three suspects were held on $100,000 cash bond.

 

Storm Lake Police Chief Chris Cole praised the coordinated response of law enforcement agencies involved in the investigation.

 

“This incident is an important example of how technology and information-sharing can serve as valuable tools for law enforcement when seconds matter. Our officers were able to quickly develop information about the suspect vehicle and share that information with other law enforcement agencies. That information, combined with the rapid response and cooperation of multiple agencies, helped us locate the vehicle and the children before an Amber Alert could be issued. I am extremely proud of our officers and grateful to all of the partner agencies and individuals who worked together to bring these children home safely.”

 

The Storm Lake Police Department was assisted by the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI), Algona Police Department, Iowa State Patrol, Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Iowa Department of Health and Human Services, Buena Vista County Attorney’s Office, and Buena Vista Regional Medical Center.

 

The investigation remains ongoing, and additional charges may be considered as the investigation continues.

 

All suspects are considered innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.