Skip to content
  • Subscribe
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Youtube
  • Instagram
  • Email
  • Home
  • News
  • Opinion
  • Entertainment
  • Features
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe to Ray’s Columns
Suburban Chicagoland

Suburban Chicagoland

Original News, Features & Opinion on local and regional news you won't find anywhere else

  • About
    • About
    • Advertise
    • Our Writers
      • Ray Hanania
      • Bill Lipinski
      • Biography: Aaron Hanania
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Policy
    • Reach Out
  • Sections
    • Events
    • Opinion
    • News
    • Features
    • Seniors
    • Comic Strip
  • Library
    • “MIdnight Flight” Online Book
      • Midnight Flight Book Overview
      • Midnight Flight Introduction
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 1
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 2
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 3
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 4
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 5
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 6
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 7
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 8
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 9
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 10
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 11
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 12
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 13
    • Villages, Cities & Towns
    • Federal Office Holders
    • County Officials
    • Legislators
  • Subscribe to Ray’s Columns
  • Comment
  • Podcast
    • Ray Hanania on Politics
    • Two Guys on Politics
    • Hanania on Tiktok
  • News Wire
  • Archive 2004-2013
  • Toggle search form
  • Father and two daughters Jeffery M Leving
    Father’s Fight to Protect his Abused and Badly Beaten Daughters Dads' Rights
  • Illinois Senator Michael Hastings addressing the Orland Township Democratic Organization Wednesday Oct. 12, 2022
    Hastings announces $75,000 grant for Olympia Fields Bicentennial Park renovations Illinois Legislature
  • Alleged Member of Chicago Street Gang Charged With Soliciting the Murder of Senior Law Enforcement Official Involved in “Operation Midway Blitz” Crime
  • IIEC Logo
    The Energy Omnibus Bill will increase rates over the rest of this decade as Illinois families and businesses toil under higher utility costs Business
  • Thaddeus Kosciuszko, Polish hero of the American Revolution. After arriving in America in 1776, Kosciuszko joined the Continental Army. As a skilled engineer, he made significant contributions to the war by designing fortifications for several strategic places such as Philadelphia, West Point, and Saratoga. Kosciuszko later returned to Poland to lead his native military in a 1794 uprising. In Detroit, Courtesy of WIkipedia
    Cook County Treasurer Pappas showcases Polish photographer’s first-ever American exhibit and honors Polish American Heritage Month in Chicago Cook County
  • On Saturday, October 4th, Cook County Commissioner Frank J. Aguilar hosted the Fifth Annual 16th District Dia de los Muertos Resource Fair at his district office. Partnering with Commissioner Aguilar were the Village of Lyons, Lyons School District 103, Teamsters Local 777, and Rincon Family Services.
    Commissioner Frank J. Aguilar Hosts Fifth Annual Dia de los Muertos Family Resource Fair  Cook County
  • Jesse Jackson Jr July 2025
    Jesse Jackson Jr. Launches Candidacy for Congress Civil Rights
  • Cook County Treasurer Maria Papas
    Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas to Celebrate Diwali by Recognizing Indian Community Leaders Cook County
  • Andrew Boutros US Attorney Illinois
    Statement of US Attorney Andrew S. Boutros and Federal Law Enforcement Leadership in Chicago on Ongoing Criminal Immigration Enforcement Operations Chicago
  • Cook County Treasurer Maria Papas
    The 5 Most Common Mistakes Homeowners Make with Property Taxes Cook County
  • Road construction cement truck. Photo courtesy of Ray Hanania
    Hastings: $123 million in IDOT projects will improve South Suburban roads through collaboration with local leaders construction
  • Source: Electric Power Monthly - U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA)
    Ratepayers will lose in the rush to approve battery storage electricity legislation in Springfield Business
  • Joyful reunion photo courtesy of Jeffery M. Leving & Assc law firm
    Leving Team Prevented a Father’s Wrongful Separation from His Child Dads' Rights
  • CTF Illinois Orland Park, 18230 Orland Pkwy, Orland Park, IL 60467
    Hastings, Giannoulias announce opening of temporary driver services facility in Orland Park Baby Boomers
  • Emagine Theater Pink popcorn
    Popcorn with a purpose: Emagine Theatres brings back Pink Caramel Corn to support Pink Fund during Breast Cancer Awareness Month Business
Police Squad Car, courtesy of Wikipedia

Alleged kidnapper caught

Posted on January 6, 2021January 6, 2021 By Steve Metsch No Comments on Alleged kidnapper caught
SHARE THIS STORY
            
 
  

Alleged kidnapper caught

Lyons, McCook police apprehend him at motel

By Steve Metsch

Lyons police found a woman hiding in a McCook hotel room closet after they were tipped off by friends of a man who allegedly kidnapped her in Texas three days prior

Erika Rios Valdez, 32, of Liberty County, Texas, was found at the Skyline Motel, 8136 W. Joliet Road, around 1:30 a.m. New Year’s Day.

She had been allegedly kidnapped on Dec. 29 at gunpoint in Texas by Abel Fajardo, who is police custody and awaits extradition. Liberty County is northeast of Houston.

Fajardo apparently drove Valdez roughly 1,000 miles to Illinois, police said, and then dropped his pickup truck off in Cicero.

He then asked friends to drive him and the woman to the Skyline Motel on Dec. 31.  They did, and promptly went to the Lyons Police Department after leaving the motel, concerned by what they saw.

Chief Tom Herion was on duty that night.

“They said they had dropped off (Fajardo), and that the woman with him looked she was scared to death,” Herion said on Jan. 4.

Police Squad Car, courtesy of Wikipedia

Lyons and McCook police apprehended a man who allegedly kidnapped a woman in Texas. File photo.

 

Fajardo’s friends told Herion they thought Fajardo had abducted the woman.

Herion, assistant police chief James Young and four Lyons  officers went to the hotel where they met two McCook officers outside Room 5.

Herion knocked on the door. Fajardo was taken into custody after a brief struggle, he said. There were no injuries, Herion said.

When officers were in the motel room, Herion told them to check the closet, which is where they found Valdez.

Liberty County Sheriff had alerted Illinois law enforcement agencies to keep an eye out for Fajardo and his pickup truck.

“When he left here, he had Illinois license plates on his truck, so logic will tell there was a good chance he’d end up that way,” Capt. Ken Defoor, public information officer for the Liberty County Sheriff’s Office, said on Jan. 4.

Asked if Fajardo and Valdez were involved in some sort of relationship, Defoor said:  “We’re using the word acquaintances. We do know they knew each other. We don’t know anything beyond that.”

He expects Fajardo will eventually be returned to Texas to face charges.

“There’s all kind of legal work that has to be done, extradition papers, all that paperwork to go through, “ Defoor said. “Chances are, in all probability, this case will be turned over to the FBI because he did go over state lines.”

“It is an aggravated kidnapping case, of course,” Defoor said. “That’s probably going to be one of them.”

Fajardo allegedly abducted Valdez outside her home, he said. She was in the process of unhooking a trailer from her vehicle, when Fajardo approached her with a gun, Defoor said

She had some bruises and scratches, but her injuries were not considered life-threatening, Defoor said. She was taken to the Amita La Grange Hospital for observation and released.

“It is an aggravated kidnapping case of course,” Defoor said. “That’s probably going to be one of them.”

McCook Police Cmdr. David DeLeshe said “I think (Fajardo) knew it was coming, but we caught him a little off-guard at 1:30 in the morning.”

Fajardo has family in the area, DeLeshe said:“ He was familiar with the area. He did live here at one time.”

The woman “did know who he was and he, for whatever reason, he abducted her at gunpoint. I don’t know if they had a relationship in the past,” DeLeshe said.

Fajardo works in construction and knew the woman after doing some work for the woman’s family, DeLeshe said.

Fajardo’s truck was found by Cicero police in that town on Saturday, Herion said. It was towed to the McCook police and is part of the invesitigation.

Defoor spoke highly of the Lyons and McCook police.

“Their work is indescribable,” he said. “Their cooperation was phenomenal. Their professionalism, resourcefulness, dedication and follow-up could not be beat. We could not have asked for anything better. They handled it and no one was injured.”

Desplaines Valley News

newswire info
  • Author
  • Recent Posts
Steve Metsch
Steve Metsch
Steve Metsch is an award winning veteran reporter who previously worked for the Daily Southtown Newspapers, Chicago Tribune and Chicago Sun-Times. Metsch is a writer and editor at the Southwest News Newspaper group based in suburban Chicago, and a freelance writer a health magazine, the Suburban Life, the Naperville Sun, and other organizations.
Email Steve Metsch at [email protected]
Steve Metsch
Latest posts by Steve Metsch (see all)
  • Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band are still rockin’ - August 10, 2023
  • Weathering personal storms - July 20, 2023
  • Countryside solution irks some - July 20, 2023
NPV: 26
  • Tweet

SHARE THIS STORY
            
 
  
 
 
 
           
News, Suburban Chicagoland Tags:Abel Fajardo, gunpoint, kidnapping, Lyons Police Chief Tom Herion, McCook, motel, New Year's Day

Post navigation

Previous Post: Pappas: Which properties have the biggest property tax increases since 2000? If you didn’t vote … Don’t complain
Next Post: SD 103 trio opts out

Related Posts

  • 05-23-25 Jeffery M. Leving
    Dad secured important court victory, keeping sons safe at home Dads' Rights
  • Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias
    Undocumented immigrants will be given drivers licenses, Secretary Giannoulias says Illinois Legislature
  • Getty wins big in Lyons News
  • Graph: Apple trails HP and Dell as most popular brand in US
    Apple trails HP and Dell as the third most popular laptop brand in the U.S. Business
  • Christopher Columbus statue Chicago Grant Park. Photo courtesy of Wikipedia
    Defending the statue of Christopher Columbus Blogger
  • Wings of Gold Awarded to Whiting Unit
    NAS Whiting Field Milestone: 35,000th Helicopter Pilot winged News

More Related Articles

No injuries in fire that damaged three homes in suburban Chicago News
CoronaVirus courtesy of Wikipedia COVID-19 infections at Orland Park Village Hall continue to rise coronavirus
Fireworks display for the 4th of July. Photo courtesy of Ray Hanania Orland Park Announces Independence Day Celebration July 3 Events
Alexi Giannoulias, former Illinois state treasurer and candidate for Illinois Secretary of State Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias releases comprehensive Transition Team report Government
Southwest Regional Publishing co-owner Mike Thiessen (right) accepts the Illinois Press Association's top General Excellence Award for non-daily newspapers on June 5. Credit: Provided Southwest Regional Publishing wins top General Excellence award for nondaily newspapers Chicago
533 quiet days News

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Login with your Social ID
  • OPINION
  • 06-04-25 Two Guys on Politics Background Zoom LOGO with images
    Video Podcast: Trump Kimmel Kirk Great American Divide Illegal Aliens polling and Illegal Aliens and ICE
    September 20, 2025
  • Illinois House Speaker Emanuel "Chris" Welch speaking at a West Side affordable housing dedication
    Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch, one of the best candidates to become Illinois Governor
    September 7, 2025
  • Cook County Treasurer Maria Papas
    What You’re Missing on Your Property Tax Bill
    September 5, 2025
  • 05-23-25 Jeffery M. Leving
    Children of divorce caught in the middle during the holidays
    August 27, 2025
  • Cook County Treasurer Maria Papas
    We Can Help You Understand Your Property Taxes—In Nearly Any Language
    August 8, 2025
Subscribe to Ray Hanania's column graphic

Enter Your Email to Subscribe to Ray Hanania’s Columns

  • The-Kings-Pawn-Book-300-x-300.png

Mohammed Faheem The Lightning Strike Radio

  • NEWS
  • Father and two daughters Jeffery M Leving
    Father’s Fight to Protect his Abused and Badly Beaten Daughters
    October 9, 2025
  • Illinois Senator Michael Hastings addressing the Orland Township Democratic Organization Wednesday Oct. 12, 2022
    Hastings announces $75,000 grant for Olympia Fields Bicentennial Park renovations
    October 8, 2025
  • Alleged Member of Chicago Street Gang Charged With Soliciting the Murder of Senior Law Enforcement Official Involved in “Operation Midway Blitz”
    October 8, 2025
  • IIEC Logo
    The Energy Omnibus Bill will increase rates over the rest of this decade as Illinois families and businesses toil under higher utility costs
    October 8, 2025
  • Thaddeus Kosciuszko, Polish hero of the American Revolution. After arriving in America in 1776, Kosciuszko joined the Continental Army. As a skilled engineer, he made significant contributions to the war by designing fortifications for several strategic places such as Philadelphia, West Point, and Saratoga. Kosciuszko later returned to Poland to lead his native military in a 1794 uprising. In Detroit, Courtesy of WIkipedia
    Cook County Treasurer Pappas showcases Polish photographer’s first-ever American exhibit and honors Polish American Heritage Month in Chicago
    October 8, 2025
John Kass Columns

Order the book PoweR PR; Ethnic Activists Guide to Strategic Communications

YOUTUBE VIDEOS

CLICK TO SUBSCRIBE TO RAY HANANIA'S YOUTUBE VIDEOS


Click here to view the video on YouTube or use the widget below.

Follow Ray Hanania at
Twitter
Facebook
TitkTok
BlueSky
RayHanania Columns

Creative Commons License
All works on this website is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. Do not edit original work. Give credit to the original source.

Categories

Copyright © 2022 Suburban Chicagoland & Urban Strategies Group

Powered by PressBook Premium theme