Kids rescued, dad arrested in missing Calif. family case

SAN DIEGO, Calif. - A Los Angeles-area father wanted in the abduction of his four young sons, who is also a person of interest in his wife's death, was taken into custody Thursday and his children were safely rescued, reports CBS Los Angeles.

Daniel Perez, 43, of Montebello, was arrested by authorities in San Diego after his 2014 black Toyota Camry was located at around 8:30 a.m. in El Cajon with the help of a LoJack system in the car, according to the station.

The California Highway Patrol attempted to pull the vehicle over and a pursuit ensued. Perez drove 85 miles an hour during their pursuit before he was eventually stopped around 9 a.m. on eastbound State Route 52 near the transition to State route 67 in Santee, police said. A standoff ensued.

During the standoff, Perez, who was in contact with police, according to the station, released two of his sons to authorities. He continued to hold his other two sons hostage in the vehicle until about 9:50 a.m. when all three people exited the vehicle, reports the station.

The dramatic arrest and the rescue of the four boys came as Daniel Perez stood near the edge of a freeway overpass. He was clutching one child, while another walked behind.

When Perez reached the edge over the overpass, officers shot him with a non-lethal bean bag, and then tackled him. Officers say all four children were rescued and were not physically harmed.

The family, including Perez's wife, 39-year-old Erica Perez, was reported missing Tuesday from their Montebello home. The couple reportedly had a history of domestic violence.

The body of a woman, believed to be the suspect's wife, Erica Perez, was found Wednesday night in the trunk of a vehicle belonging to the family. Perez is a person of interest in connection with his wife's murder, according to police.