It took a few days for the horrific news to make its way to major outlets, but on Thursday, CBS was the only broadcast network to inform its viewers of a nationwide manhunt for a group of men accused of kidnapping and raping two teenage girls. Authorities captured two of the men involved and believed all were in the U.S. illegally.
“And there is breaking news in the nationwide manhunt for three men suspected of kidnapping and raping two teenage sisters in northern Ohio. One the suspects was captured today, nearly 1300 miles away in Lubbock, Texas,” announced anchor Bianna Golodryga on CBS Evening News before handing the report off to correspondent Jericka Duncan.
As Duncan began her report, she noted that David Ramos Contreras, a suspect in the case, was arrested in Texas. She later explained he found hiding under a bed. He and three other men were accused of sexually assaulting “two sisters ages 13 and 14.” The girls were staying at a Days Inn hostel in Bowling Green, Ohio with their parents where the men were also staying.
“Investigators believe the men are in the U.S. illegally,” Duncan added. “U.S. Marshals and ICE agents have joined local police in the manhunt. The suspects allegedly kidnapped and raped the girls last Thursday.”
Bowling Green Police Lieutenant Dan Mancuso described to CBS how the men had “fraudulent immigration paperwork or identifications.” “Based on the crime that they are accused of, we would consider them violent offenders so they would be dangerous,” the officer said.
“Police say the suspect arrested today was deported from the U.S. in October of last year,” Duncan reported as they were wrapping up the segment.
According to a CBSNews.com article from earlier in the morning, “Ohio police are looking for two women who were spotted with the subject of a nationwide manhunt for his alleged involvement in the kidnapping and rape of two teenagers…” The women were seen at a local Walmart in the company of Contreras. The online article also noted that he was believed to be from Mexico.
The article also reported that “[a]long with Contreras, authorities are searching for men whose apparent identities are Arnulfo Ramos and Juan Adiel.” “Simon Juan Thomas, 24, of Guatemala, has been arrested and charged with unlawful sexual conduct with a minor and is being held on $50,000 bond, with 100 percent required,” it added concerning the fourth man. With the capture of Contreras and Thomas, it meant only two of the men allegedly involved were still on the loose.
Instead of reporting the nationwide manhunt for rapists, ABC’s World News Tonight chose fawn over the Statue of Liberty climber and highlight a man who injured his arm and hand when he held onto a mortar-style firework. Meanwhile, on NBC Nightly News, they reported on a car chase that ended when the SUV being pursued crashed into a home. NBC also touting Tony Hawk still doing skateboard tricks at 50.
The transcript is below, click "expand" to read:
CBS Evening News
July 5, 2018
6:43:55 PM EasternBIANNA GOLODRYGA: And there is breaking news in the nationwide manhunt for three men suspected of kidnapping and raping two teenage sisters in northern Ohio. One the suspects was captured today, nearly 1300 miles away in Lubbock, Texas. Jericka Duncan is following the latest
[Cuts to video]
JERICKA DUNCAN: Within the last few hours, authorities arrested David Ramos Contreras who had been on the run since last week. Contreras is one of three suspects who detectives say sexually assaulted two sisters ages 13 and 14. Bowling Green Police Lieutenant Dan Mancuso.
DAN MANCUSO: Based on the crime that they are accused of, we would consider them violent offenders so they would be dangerous.
DUNCAN: Investigators believe the men are in the U.S. illegally. U.S. Marshals and ICE agents have joined local police in the manhunt. The suspects allegedly kidnapped and raped the girls last Thursday. According to police, it happened here at this Days Inn where the teens and their parents were staying at the same time as the men. Police haven't been able to confirm the identities of the two men who are still on the run.
MANCUSO: They had fraudulent immigration paperwork or identifications.
[Cuts back to live]
DUNCAN: Police say the suspect arrested today was deported from the U.S. in October of last year and Bianna, he was actually hiding under a bed Texas. He is now going to be extradited back to Ohio to face charges.
GOLODRYGA: Jericka Duncan, thank you.
