Woman and kids found safe, 5 arrested after Amber Alert

Five people have been arrested in connection with the robbery and kidnapping of a woman and her three children that prompted an Amber Alert early Tuesday morning, authorities said.

All five suspects — four men and one woman — face possible robbery and kidnapping charges in the wake of an incident that began late Monday night, Wichita police Officer Charley Davidson said in a statement.

The Wichita Police Department said the case began when officers responded to a robbery call at around 11 p.m. Monday at a house in the 1800 block of South Lexington, near Harry and Woodlawn in southeast Wichita.

A 31-year-old man who lived there told officers that several suspects went into the house, and that one pointed a handgun at him and tied him up. The 31-year-old said a suspect forced Melissa Gifford and her three children into a black Ford Expedition that was parked in the driveway.

A Police Department news release said the suspects apparently left the home after taking electronics.

An Amber Alert was issued for the three children and their mother at around 3 a.m. Tuesday.

The children – a 2-year-old and two 8-year-olds – and their mother were found shortly before 8 a.m. Tuesday at a west Wichita hotel. By then, the suspects were in custody for questioning by the Exploited and Missing Child Unit.

Roque Arellano, 34, and other suspects – including his girlfriend Jennifer Cruz – were found at a hotel near 5800 W. Kellogg shortly after 5 a.m., according to the Wichita Police Department, dispatch reports and Amber Alert information.

It’s unclear whether Gifford and the missing children were found at the same hotel as the suspects or at another location.

The missing Ford Expedition, which was said to be registered in Gifford’s name, was also found Tuesday.

The Exploited and Missing Child Unit interviewed the victims and suspects throughout the day Tuesday.

The police news release said the case was “not a random event,” suggesting the suspects and victims knew one another.

More information about the incident will be released at 10 a.m. Wednesday at City Hall, Davidson said.

Related coverage:

Why you didn’t get an Amber Alert on your phone

Amber Alert case began as robbery call to 911, police say

Three Wichita children and mother found safe after Amber Alert

UPDATE: 3 children, mother in Amber Alert found safe, police say

This story was originally published December 6, 2016 at 11:42 AM with the headline "Woman and kids found safe, 5 arrested after Amber Alert."