Crime
15-month-old Matheo Vasquez found safe
HOUSTON, TX – After an extensive search and an AMBER Alert issued over the weekend, 15-month-old Matheo Vasquez has been safely found. According to authorities, a family member is now in custody of the child and will be meeting with law enforcement officials.
However, questions remain about Matheo’s whereabouts during the time he was missing, and further details are under investigation.
The AMBER Alert for Matheo was activated after he was last seen on Saturday evening, January 25, around 5:20 p.m., in the 15000 block of Green Stone Drive.
The toddler was reportedly wearing a black sweater and black pants at the time of his disappearance. Matheo is described as being 2 feet tall and weighing approximately 20 pounds.
The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children initially reported that Matheo was believed to be with 25-year-old Jason Irwin Vasquez, who is now wanted for kidnapping.
Jason Vasquez is described as being 5 feet, 6 inches tall and has a tattoo on his right hand. Authorities believed he was driving a 2016 dark gray GMC Sierra four-door pickup truck with Texas license plate JZY5720.
The exact relationship between Jason Vasquez and Matheo has not been clarified. It has been confirmed, however, that Matheo was not found with Jason Vasquez at the time of his recovery, according to a source close to the investigation.
Authorities are continuing to investigate Matheo’s disappearance and the circumstances surrounding his recovery. Officials have not disclosed how Matheo was located or who facilitated his safe return to family members.
Jason Vasquez remains wanted for questioning and is considered a person of interest in this case. Law enforcement agencies are working diligently to locate him and determine the full scope of events leading to the issuance of the AMBER Alert.
Authorities are urging the public to assist with any information that might help locate Jason Vasquez or shed light on the case. Anyone with relevant details is encouraged to contact the following numbers:
- Harris County Sheriff’s Office: 713-755-7427
- Investigator Benavides: 832-262-5238
- Investigator Quintanilla: 713-262-5193
- Crime Stoppers: 713-222-TIPS (8477)
Community and Law Enforcement Response
The safe recovery of Matheo Vasquez has brought relief to his family and the local community. Law enforcement officials, including the Harris County Sheriff’s Office and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, have expressed their gratitude to everyone involved in the search efforts.
Further updates will be provided as more information becomes available regarding the ongoing investigation.
Authorities have identified the man shot and killed Friday afternoon in a parking lot outside a Little Caesars restaurant in Chicago’s Little Village neighborhood.
The victim has been named as Stevens Jeffrey, 29, according to police and the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office.
The shooting occurred in the 2600 block of West Cermak Road near Rockwell Street at approximately 1:10 p.m., according to the Chicago Police Department (CPD).
Preliminary reports indicate that Jeffrey was sitting in his vehicle when he was approached by an unknown vehicle.
An armed individual exited that vehicle and opened fire, striking Jeffrey multiple times in the face and body.
Emergency responders arrived on the scene, where Jeffrey was pronounced dead. He was discovered inside his vehicle with his two young children, ages 4 and 6, who were unharmed.
Both children were transported to Stroger Hospital for precautionary evaluation.
The shooting took place in the parking lot of a Little Caesars restaurant, where investigators recovered multiple shell casings and placed numerous evidence markers on the ground.
As of Friday evening, no suspects are in custody, and detectives from the CPD Area Four Homicide Unit are leading the investigation. Police have not released information on a possible motive.
Authorities are urging anyone with information about this homicide to contact Chicago Police or submit an anonymous tip at CPDTip.com.