Men Accused Of Kidnapping, Killing 11-Year-Old Burned Alive By Villagers

Three men accused of abducting and killing an 11-year-old boy were dragged out of a Guatemala police station and burned alive by villagers Monday, according to reports.

The three men who were burned to death Monday in the town of Colotenango were identified as 24-year-old Ovidio Méndez, 24-year-old Selvin Pérez and 38-year-old Samuel Godínez, the Daily Mail reported, citing the Guatemala National Police.

The suspects allegedly abducted 11-year-old Freddy Mendez on Aug. 12 and demanded a $19,500 ransom in exchange for the release of the child, police said.

Police said they believe that the three suspects likely targeted the boy because his father is currently residing in the United States and frequently sends money back home for the construction of a new residence, according to the outlet.

The men reportedly sent Mendez's family a photo that showed one of the suspects holding a shotgun with the child by his side as proof that the boy was still alive.

The family paid the ransom, but Mendez was never returned, according to the report.

The three alleged kidnappers were captured by angry residents Monday and brought to local police.

However, other villagers stormed the police station, overpowered authorities and took one of the suspects by force. The group brought the suspect to a wooded area, where they beat him. It is not clear which of the suspects they took.

The villagers poured gasoline on the suspect and then set him on fire after the man confirmed that the child was already dead. The child was shot in the head and buried in a pit, according to the report.

The villagers then went back to the police station, dragged the two remaining suspects out and repeated the punishment.

The home of one of the suspects was also reportedly set on fire.

Police were able to recover the body of the 11-year-old boy Wednesday, according to local media outlets.

In related news, the Bauchi State Police Command in Nigeria killed two suspected kidnappers terrorizing the Alkaleri Local Government Area of the state, according to a press release Friday.

Eight other suspected kidnappers were arrested, and two abducted individuals were rescued, according to the Police Public Relations Officer of the Command, SP Ahmed Mohammed Wakil.