MARCH 19 5:42PM | A Long Beach man pleaded not guilty in court today to attempted murder, kidnapping, child custody deprivation and first-degree burglary after he sparked a statewide Amber Alert regarding the welfare of his one-year-old son.
Giovanny Santiago-Rodriguez allegedly stabbed his ex-girlfriend’s new boyfriend in San Pedro at about 1:30AM on March 9 before fleeing with his one-year-old son to Tijuana. An Amber Alert was issued for the child’s safety, and he was located safely in Tijuana later that same evening by authorities.
Santiago-Rodriguez was arrested Wednesday after attempting to re-enter the United States from Mexico.
Santiago-Rodriguez was ordered to be held on $1.3 million bail pending his next court appearance on April 1 by Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Sergio C. Tapia.
If convicted, Santiago-Rodriguez faces up to life in state prison, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.
City News Service contributed to this report.
MARCH 19 9:29AM | A Long Beach man is due in court today for arraignment on attempted murder, kidnapping and additional charges, the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office (LADA) announced Wednesday.
Giovanny Santiago-Rodriguez allegedly stabbed his ex-girlfriend’s new boyfriend in San Pedro at about 1:30AM on March 9 before fleeing with his one-year-old son to Tijuana. An Amber Alert was issued for the child’s safety, and he was located safely in Tijuana later that same evening by authorities.
Santiago-Rodriguez was arrested Wednesday after attempting to re-enter the United States from Mexico.
He is charged with one count of attempted willful, deliberate and premeditated murder, three counts of assault with a deadly weapon, one count of kidnapping, one count of residential burglary and one count of child custody deprivation. There are all felonies, according to the LADA. The complaint alleges use of a deadly weapon, a knife, and that Santiago-Rodriguez has a prior conviction.
Prosecutors are expected to ask the court that Santiago-Rodriguez’s bail be set at $1.3 million. If convicted, Santiago-Rodriguez faces up to life in state prison.
No further information is available. We will update this story as we learn more.
MARCH 18 12:09PM | A Long Beach man suspected of stabbing his ex-girlfriend’s new boyfriend in San Pedro before fleeing with his one-year-old son to Mexico was arrested Tuesday when he attempted to cross the Mexican border back into the United States, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
Giovanny Santiago-Enriquez, 37, was arrested at about 10:15AM Tuesday when he tried to enter the U.S. through the Otay Mesa border crossing near San Diego. When he presented his driver’s license and Social Security card to immigration authorities, they discovered he had a warrant out for his arrest on suspicion of attempted murder, according to CBP.
Santiago-Enriquez was arrested last week by Policía Estatal Preventiva, who located him at about 8:15PM the same day the kidnapping and stabbing occurred.
It is not clear at this time if he was released from jail in Tijuana before attempting to cross the border. The Long Beach Post is awaiting clarification from the CBP.
According to CBP, Santiago-Enriquez is a Mexican citizen and lawful permanent resident of the United States.
Santiago-Enriquez’ son, Jayden Nathaniel Santiago, was brought back to the United States last week in Tijuana, the same day he was taken by his father and an Amber Alert was issued in regard to his safety.
The Amber Alert for Jayden was issued March 9 after Santiago-Enriquez entered his former girlfriend’s home on the 500 block of West 15th Street in San Pedro earlier that morning at around 1:30AM, went through an unlocked front door, went into her bedroom and stabbed her new boyfriend several times, police said. The victim sustained serious wounds.
During the altercation, Jayden was apparently left in the car parked a block away, police said.
The former girlfriend suffered minor injuries while trying to prevent Santiago-Enriquez from stabbing her boyfriend. Santiago-Enriquez then fled, throwing the knife he had used on the boyfriend out of his car. He then went to his home in Long Beach before fleeing with his son to Tijuana, police said.
No further information is currently available. We will update this story as we learn more.
City News Service contributed to this report.