Two men are in custody after being arrested in Texas in connection with a disturbing home invasion and kidnapping incident that occurred in Grant, Minnesota. The Washington County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that 23-year-old Raymond Christian Garcia and 24-year-old Isiah Angelo Garcia face serious criminal charges, including three counts of kidnapping, three counts of burglary, and one count of aggravated robbery.
The investigation into the incident began on Friday evening around 5 p.m., when a 911 call raised alarm bells regarding a kidnapping linked to an armed robbery. The caller, who managed to whisper details of the situation into the phone, indicated that he and his family were being held hostage at gunpoint in their home on Inwood Way North.
In a swift response, authorities arrived to find three individuals who appeared to be unharmed, but shaken, by the events that had unfolded. In light of the reported threats, Mahtomedi Public Schools issued a safety alert, advising individuals on their campus to seek refuge in locked vehicles or buildings. This precaution ultimately led to the cancellation of the high school football game to ensure safety for students and attendees.
Prosecutors outlined a harrowing sequence of events detailed in the charging documents. Early that Friday, one of the victims was approached by the Garcia brothers while taking his garbage can to the curb. They allegedly brandished a weapon, forcing him into his garage, where he was restrained. The brothers then woke other family members, taking steps to tie them up as well.
During the crisis, the victims were reportedly held at gunpoint with an AR-15-style rifle, and the attackers coerced one family member into retrieving items from a cabin owned by the family near Jacobson. Significant losses were incurred during this ordeal, with victims reporting the theft of cryptocurrency wallets valued at over $36,000, alongside other financial assets stored at their cabin.
The investigation took a pivotal turn when law enforcement discovered a suitcase near the scene containing an assault rifle, clothing, bottles, and a receipt from Wendy’s. Surveillance footage from the restaurant led detectives to track a rental sedan linked to the suspects, which was rented in the Houston area.
On Sunday, authorities apprehended the Garcia brothers, and subsequent search warrants executed at their Texas residence recovered items that matched descriptions provided by the victims. Both brothers are currently being held in Texas and are awaiting extradition back to Minnesota to face their charges. If convicted on the kidnapping charges, each could face a maximum of 40 years in prison. The other charges carry potential sentences of up to 20 years.
