News Summary
Enver Zueros has been sentenced to 50 years in prison after kidnapping an 89-year-old woman in Summerville. The incident involved deception and violence, leading to a multi-agency search for the victim. Thankfully, she was found safe, and the crime was swiftly addressed by local and federal law enforcement.
Summerville – Enver Zueros, a 35-year-old man from Mission Viejo, California, has been sentenced to 50 years in prison after pleading guilty to the kidnapping of an 89-year-old woman in Summerville. The sentencing, which took place following Zueros’ guilty plea on August 25, 2025, included a 30-year term for kidnapping and a 20-year term for first-degree burglary, both to be served consecutively.
The kidnapping incident occurred on March 9, 2025, when Zueros approached the elderly victim under false pretenses, claiming he was searching for a football that had been thrown into her backyard. After the victim stepped outside to assist him, she returned to find Zueros in her living room. Upon confrontation, a physical struggle ensued, during which Zueros used bear spray on the victim, bound her hands and feet with duct tape, and secured her with a dog leash.
A neighbor, who regularly visited the victim, witnessed suspicious behavior and confronted Zueros. When questioned, Zueros lied about the victim’s whereabouts, claiming she had been taken to the hospital. In a desperate move, he forced the victim into the floorboard of his vehicle and fled the scene. Another neighbor attempted to intervene but was unable to stop him.
Law enforcement agencies swiftly mobilized to search for the victim, with assistance from Summerville Police, North Charleston Police, and the FBI. They used license plate readers and surveillance footage, along with cellphone data, to aid in the search. Eventually, the victim was discovered inside her own vehicle in North Charleston, where she was found restrained and with a plastic bag over her head, from which she had managed to poke holes for breathing.
After abandoning the vehicle, Zueros was apprehended the next day in Aiken County while he was charging his electric vehicle. Investigators revealed that Zueros had rented an Airbnb in Summerville ten days before the kidnapping and had targeted the elderly woman due to a distant connection to her deceased brother. According to the investigation, Zueros had become angry when the victim ceased sending him money and redirected her donations to charitable organizations.
At the time of the kidnapping, Zueros was out on bond in California for a prior attempted murder charge. The Summerville Police Chief indicated that the crime was not random and underlined the significant danger Zueros posed to the community. The police chief acknowledged the crucial role played by neighborhood vigilance, as well as the collaborative efforts of law enforcement agencies, in successfully resolving the case.
First Judicial Circuit Solicitor emphasized the planned nature of Zueros’ actions and the serious threat he represented to public safety. Fortunately, the victim survived the harrowing ordeal with non-life-threatening injuries and received medical attention at a local hospital.
Chief Deputy Solicitor noted the importance of community solidarity in looking out for one another, emphasizing that the vigilance shown by neighbors undoubtedly contributed to the victim’s safe return. The coordinated response from local and federal law enforcement exemplified the dedication to safeguarding the community and responding to such grievous criminal acts with promptness and efficacy.
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- MSN News
- Count on 2 News
- Post and Courier
- Live 5 News
- ABC News 4
- Wikipedia: Kidnapping
- Google Search: Summerville kidnapping
- Google Scholar: California man sentenced for kidnapping
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Kidnapping
- Google News: Summerville crime
Author: STAFF HERE MISSION VIEJO WRITER
MISSION VIEJO STAFF WRITER The MISSION VIEJO STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREMissionViejo.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Mission Viejo, Orange County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Oso Fit 5K Fun Run and Community Health Fair, Walk Against Drugs & Community Fair, and National Night Out. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Mission Viejo Chamber of Commerce and Providence Mission Hospital Mission Viejo, plus leading businesses in retail and education that power the local economy such as The Shops at Mission Viejo, Capistrano Unified School District, and Amazon Delivery Station. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAnaheim.com, HEREBeverlyHills.com, HERECostaMesa.com, HERECoronado.com, HEREHollywood.com, HEREHuntingtonBeach.com, HERELongBeach.com, HERELosAngeles.com, HERESanDiego.com, and HERESantaAna.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into California's dynamic landscape.
