Crime
Amber Alert Issued for Two Young Girls Abducted by Suspect in Kings County Homicide
Do not approach the suspect, as he is considered armed and dangerous.
HANFORD, CA – The California Highway Patrol has issued an Amber Alert across much of Central and Southern California as authorities search for a man suspected of killing a woman in Kings County and abducting their two young daughters.
The Kings County Sheriff’s Office has identified the suspect as Jonathan Alexis Maldonado-Cruz, 23, who is accused of fatally shooting the children’s mother on Tuesday, January 28, 2025, in Hanford, California, before fleeing with their children.
- Suspect:Jonathan Alexis Maldonado-Cruz
- Age: 23
- Height: 5’9”
- Weight: 215 lbs
- Hair: Black
- Eyes: Brown
- Status: Considered armed and dangerous
- Vehicle Details:
- Make & Model: 2020 Hyundai Elantra
- Color: Gray
- License Plate: California 8LZD084
- Last Seen: Leaving the scene in Hanford, possibly fleeing toward Mexico
Missing Children Details
Authorities are searching for Arya Maldonado, 3, and Alana Maldonado, 2, who were taken by the suspect.
- Arya Maldonado (3 years old)
- Height: 3 feet
- Weight: 25 lbs
- Hair: Brown
- Eyes: Brown
- Alana Maldonado (2 years old)
- Height: 2 feet 5 inches
- Weight: 20 lbs
- Hair: Brown
- Eyes: Brown
The Amber Alert covers Los Angeles, Orange, San Diego, and Riverside counties, and authorities believe the suspect may be heading toward Mexico.
Anyone who sees Maldonado-Cruz, the vehicle, or the missing children is urged to call 911 immediately.
Do not approach the suspect, as he is considered armed and dangerous.
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.