Denver police: 2 arrested for kidnapping, amputation of victim's finger

DENVER (KDVR) — Denver police have arrested two people in connection to an alleged kidnapping and assault wherein the victim's finger was amputated by his captors.

According to the Denver Police Department, an adult man arrived at the Denver Police District Station on Oct. 17 to report a kidnapping and aggravated assault. He told police that four people that he lived with had "held him against his will and assaulted him, including amputating a finger."

After two days of captivity, the victim was able to escape and report the incident.

Denver police said officers conducted a welfare check at the location where the victim had been held during the night of Oct. 16, and "investigated to the extent they were able without having full consent or sufficient evidence of a crime" that would allow the officers to obtain a search warrant.

The victim told police that the suspects left the location after the welfare check, which allowed him to escape hours later.

On Oct. 18, police arrested Jose Pineda-Morena, 19, and Darwin Veliz-Gonzalez, 34, and held them for investigation of:

• First-degree kidnapping: Imprison/secrete, with bodily injury
• First-degree assault: Disfigurement
• Criminal extortion

The Denver agency told FOX31 that officers are still investigating whether this incident was gang-related activity.

"We believe this is an isolated incident and have no reason to believe this situation poses a risk to the greater community," the agency told FOX31.

Police are still working to identify the other two suspects. Because of this, the arrest affidavits are sealed. Final charges will be determined by the Denver District Attorney's Office.