SAN ANTONIO — A dramatic rescue took place on Sunday when San Antonio Police Department (SAPD) officers responded to a welfare check at a northwest side home, uncovering a case of kidnapping for ransom.

Upon arrival, officers discovered a 34-year-old woman concealed in a closet, hidden under a blanket. According to the police affidavit, she was being held against her will, with threats made against her life should she attempt to escape or contact the authorities.

The woman, who had recently entered the U.S. from Mexico to support her family in Guatemala, managed to use a computer tablet to alert her family of her situation when her captor was not watching. This act of courage led to her rescue after she informed her husband of her location, although she initially advised against calling the police due to threats against her and her family.

Elvin Roberto Mendez Flores was arrested by SAPD on charges of Aggravated Kidnapping Ransom/Reward, and he is currently held on a $75,000 bond. The affidavit notes that her captors had already extorted $6,000 from her family, demanding an additional $6,000.

During her captivity, the victim was forced to perform tasks like cooking and hair braiding to generate income for her kidnappers, without receiving any wages. Flores admitted to parts of the allegations but claimed he was merely acting on behalf of another party.