Hunt on nationwide for kidnapping suspect

Monday, February 26, 2007

The Manatee County Sheriff's Office is looking for this man, who they say kidnapped Clay Moore Friday morning.

Manatee County Sheriff Charlie Wells has obtained an arrest warrant for Vicente Ignacio Beltran-Moreno, who he believes kidnapped 13-year-old Clay Moore Friday morning.

Wells says a SWAT team executed a search warrant about 5:15 Sunday morning for Beltran-Moreno.

"This man abducted Clay Moore," Wells said. "We are sure of it. This was an absolute kidnapping for ransom. The person wanted money in exchange for Clay Moore."

Wells says Beltran-Moreno has left the state, but he does not know where he is.

Beltran-Moreno, 22, worked as a picker at the farm near where Moore was left after his kidnapping. Former co-workers of Beltran-Moreno were instrumental in providing information about him.

The Clay Moore Case

Wells said Beltran-Moreno left a ransom note asking for money, but would not specify the amount of money asked for or where they found the note.

"I was shocked," Wells said about reading the ransom note. "I don't believe I ever read a real one before."

The ransom note included threats, Wells said.

Wells does not believe Moore was specifically targeted. Moore was tied up to a tree by his abductor, but escaped and walked until he found a farm worker who lent him a cell phone.

Wells praised Moore for his assistance in identifying his abductor.

"He was extremely helpful," Wells said. "He gave us valuable information and he was right on the money with the information he gave us. For a 13-year-old kid he was extremely courageous and he provided us with valuable, valuable information as to how to solve this case."

Wells said the description Moore gave of the suspect closely matches photos of Beltran-Moreno.

Wells does not know if Beltran-Moreno acted alone or with an accomplice, nor if Beltran-Moreno is in the country legally or not.

Anyone with any information regarding the search for Beltran-Moreno is asked to call the sheriff's office at (941) 747-3011, ext. 2260.

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