Two men are facing serious charges in connection with a horrifying attack on a Burien woman that stretched across multiple Washington counties. The King County Sheriff’s Office (KCSO) believes one of the accused may be linked to Tren de Aragua — a notorious Venezuelan gang with growing operations in the U.S.
Brutal Crime Spans Counties
Kevin Daniel Sanabria Ojeda, 24, and Alexander Moises Arnaez-Gutierrez, 25, have been charged in King County Superior Court with kidnapping, attempted murder, and robbery. Prosecutors allege the two abducted a 58-year-old woman on the night of January 21 as she returned home to her Burien apartment after work.
The men allegedly forced her into a vehicle, firing a gun as she resisted. They then drove eastward toward the Cascade Mountains, pressuring the woman to give up her personal and financial information. Authorities say the suspects used a power drill on her hand to coerce her into talking.
Victim Survives Ordeal by Playing Dead
According to court documents, the suspects eventually took the woman to a desolate stretch of Interstate 90 in Kittitas County, where she was shot and left for dead. Believing the shot had killed her, the assailants fled.
Remarkably, the woman had only been hit in the shoulder. She lay still until her attackers left, then managed to find help. She was rushed to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, where she later recounted the traumatic events to investigators.
FBI Assists in Multi-State Investigation
The KCSO, in coordination with the FBI, quickly launched an investigation spanning multiple states. Sanabria was located just days later at a motel in Illinois. Surveillance footage from Burien and stolen jewelry found in his motel room tied him to the crime. After being read his rights, Sanabria reportedly admitted his role in the kidnapping and shooting, though he entered a not-guilty plea in court.
Arnaez-Gutierrez was taken into custody last week following a traffic stop by Mercer Island police. He is set to be arraigned on April 24.
Possible Gang Involvement
Investigators say Arnaez-Gutierrez may have ties to Tren de Aragua — a violent criminal group known for its reach beyond Venezuela. While the connection has not been officially confirmed, the violent and coordinated nature of the attack has raised red flags for law enforcement.
Suspects Held on High Bail; Third Man Sought
Both Sanabria and Arnaez-Gutierrez remain in custody with bail set at $1 million each. Authorities warn that the suspects present an ongoing danger to the public.
A third individual, only identified as “Daniel,” is also believed to be involved. That person is still under investigation.
