Md. man charged with $300K child kidnap-for-hire plot, police say

(CBS) ELKTON, Md. - Authorities have arrested a Maryland man they say plotted to abduct a 10-year-old boy from a family he knew, and demand a $300,000 ransom.

Police say 36-year-old Andres Flores of Cecil County was looking to carry out a kidnap-for-hire, and was prepared to kill the child if the family didn't pay up, CBS Baltimore reported.

"The suspect made a statement that they would have to get rid of the child," Lt. Michael Holmes of the Cecil County Sheriff's Office said.

Officials say the plot preparation was elaborate.

"Showing photos of the child, taking individuals by the residences of the mother and the father, and also even came up with a game plan of how to grab the child," Holmes said.

But someone tipped off the FBI.

Police staged a sting operation in a strip mall parking lot, where they say Flores had arranged to meet another potential kidnapper, according to CBS Baltimore. He never knew investigators were listening the whole time.

When they took him into custody, police say Flores confessed.

"That is very, very shocking because I have three younger sisters," Ratisha Sweat, a neighbor, said. "So, for something like that to happen literally across the street, that's very, very scary."

Flores now faces five charges including conspiracy to kidnap a child. He's being held on $750,000 bond.

Investigators are not releasing details about the targeted family, but say they do live in Cecil County.