David Angelo Montano, a validated criminal street gang member also known as "Satan," is believed to be armed and dangerous. Detectives believe Montano could still be in the Merced area or possibly the San Francisco Bay Area.
Deputy Paul Barile, Merced County Sheriff's Department spokesman, said Montano and Enrique Romero Jr., 23, of Atwater, abducted the two teens about 2 a.m., that February morning, threatening them with knives and a machete.
Romero was arrested March 15 on suspicion of conspiracy, kidnapping, rape and burglary. He remains in Merced County Jail in lieu of $445,000 bail, according to a correctional official.
Barile said Montano is wanted on the same charges. He is described as 5 feet, 6 inches tall, weighing 140 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes. He has a tattoo of the Virgin Mary on his left arm and a crucifix with Jesus on his right arm.
Montano also was last seen driving a black 1978 Pontiac Grand Prix two-door hardtop, with California license plate 5HSX604.
Residents are asked to forward tips about Montano's whereabouts to Detective Terry Hays of the sheriff's department Major Crimes Unit at 725-3880.
Barile said the kidnapping incident began when one girl was on a "sleepover" with a friend and they left the house about 2 a.m. without the parents' knowledge.
When the girls were abducted by Montano and Romero on Winton Way, they were driven around about a half-hour and then taken to a house in the 3600 block of Applegate Road where they were sexually assaulted, Barile said.
They were then loaded back into the car and dropped in the county where they ultimately alerted authorities. A third suspect, not identified, was involved in the assault.
Associate Editor Doane Yawger can be reached at 385-2485 or dyawger@mercedsun-star.com.
