A 45-year-old individual with a prior conviction for robbery pleaded guilty on Thursday to the abduction and attempted kidnapping of five victims in Westminster.
Luis Manuel Grajeda Jr. admitted to six counts of false imprisonment, two counts of kidnapping, and three counts of attempted kidnapping, all of which are felonies. Additionally, he pleaded guilty to misdemeanor charges of stealing, attempted stealing, and battery.
According to Sgt. Eddie Esqueda of the Westminster Police Department, these incidents occurred in December 2021.
Grajeda reached a plea agreement with an Orange County Superior Court judge, despite objections from prosecutors. His attorney, Mark Fredrick, stated that Grajeda has been struggling with drug addiction since his early teenage years and has been undergoing residential drug treatment. Fredrick added that if Grajeda successfully completes the program, probation may be granted.
“He never intended to harm anyone,” Fredrick said. “His motive was to obtain drugs from them.”
Grajeda’s attorney stated that he was heavily intoxicated during the time of the incidents.
Fredrick added, “This is the longest period of sobriety he has experienced since a young age.”
The abductions took place around 6 p.m. in the vicinity of Hoover Street and Garden Grove Boulevard, as reported by the police.
Upon responding to the scene, officers met two women who reported that a man had tried to abduct them. One of the victims managed to escape as the suspect exited his white Chevrolet Suburban vehicle, according to the police. The suspect pursued the victim momentarily but then returned to his vehicle, where he attempted to coax the second victim inside.
Although the second victim initially ran away, the suspect caught up to her on foot and forcibly dragged her into the vehicle. However, she managed to break free before he could regain control of the driver’s seat, the police explained.
The two victims did not know each other but coincidentally found themselves in the area at the same time, according to law enforcement authorities.
Court records indicate that Grajeda previously received a conviction for robbery at an automated teller machine in June 2004 at the Orange County Superior Court.
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