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2nd suspect sought for Facebook kidnapping
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A second suspect in a late March armed kidnapping and robbery that was set up online has been identified by Ripon Police detectives.

Police are looking for Juan Antonio Rodriguez, 21, according to First Sgt. Steve Merchant.

The 21-year-old San Jose man was listed as “DaMob” and “209 Sneaker Exchange” on Facebook. He is wanted on charges of robbery, kidnapping, witness intimidation and conspiracy.

Three days after the March 22 robbery, the first suspect, Fernando Hernandez, 21, of Stockton was taken into custody by Ripon officers. He was booked at county jail on related charges and is being held in lieu of $1.5 million bail. Hernandez is scheduled to appear in the Manteca Branch of the San Joaquin County Superior Court on Tuesday, April 22, at 8:30 a.m.

Hernandez was charged with seven felonies including receiving stolen property, robbery, kidnapping to commit another crime, two counts of street terrorism, dissuading a witness by force or threat, being armed with a firearm during a felony, possession of a controlled substance and possession of marijuana for sale.

The criminal scenario began when a Ripon resident was trying to buy merchandise from someone over the Internet that he had met through Facebook. He ended up getting robbed at gunpoint. 

The victim had arranged to meet the bogus sellers near a Ripon elementary school shortly before 3 p.m. on Saturday, March 22. One of the two men allegedly brandished a handgun and the victim was transported to a secluded orchard west of the community where his cash and personal items were taken from him, according to the sergeant.

As being left in the orchard by the duo he was ordered not to report the incident to the police.