The Greenville County Sheriff's Office issued the following press release Friday:
Investigators with the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office have obtained warrants on 35 year-old, Jhon H. Vivas, of Lawrenceville, GA, in connection with two kidnapping cases that involved the suspects forcing the victims to make withdraws from various banks. Vivas has been arrested on a Fugitive From Justice Warrant in Gwinnett County, GA.
An initial release was sent out on February 21st, seeking information pertaining to the identity of a man whose photo was captured on a video surveillance camera. That man has since been identified as Vivas.
That incident began on January 31st, at the CVS, located 3218 W. Blue Ridge Drive. The victim was approached in the parking lot by two Hispanic females who, first asked for a ride and then forced the victim into her own vehicle at gunpoint. Investigators learned that Vivas followed the car in a 2014 Toyota Sequoia, as it drove to the Wells Fargo bank on W. Parker Road. The suspects then forced the victim to withdraw a large amount of money from the bank before eventually letting her go.
The second incident happened at “La Unica”, located in a shopping center at White Horse Road and W. Blue Ridge Drive. It involved similar circumstances and occurred on February 26th, around 1:00pm. Investigators learned that a victim was approached by 2 Hispanic females, who asked her for a ride and then brandished a firearm and forced the victim into her own car.
The suspects, followed by Vivas, forced the victim to drive to the Wells Fargo bank, located at 3043 White Horse Road, her residence, and the Bank of America, located at 498 S. Pleasantburg Drive; forcing the victim to make significant cash withdraws at each location before ultimately driving to the Bi-Lo grocery store, located at S. Pleasantburg and Mauldin Road, where the suspects exited the victim’s car and got into Vivas’ Toyota Sequoia.
Investigators are currently working to identify three Hispanic female suspects. One of the suspect’s photos was obtained from the video surveillance taken outside of a gas station near Anderson Road and White Horse Road and investigators ask for anyone who might recognize this person to call Investigator Moates at 864-467-5283.
No victims were injured as a result of these incidents, however investigators are concerned there might be additional victims and ask for anyone with information to call the number shown above or Crime Stoppers of Greenville at 23-CRIME.
