Little Caesars Pizza Call Incident

Introduction

• On July 8th, 2003, a call was received by a Little Caesars cashier in San Jose, California, from a young girl.
• The girl, Jeanette Tamayo, was kidnapped and forced to make the call as her only contact with the outside world.

Background of the Kidnapping

• Who is Jeanette Tamayo?
  • Nine-year-old girl.
• Incident Details:
  • Abducted after getting off the school bus.
  • Found her home broken into; bedroom window smashed.
  • Unable to call mother due to cut phone lines.
  • A stranger at the door led to her abduction after she opened the door.

Abduction and Assault

• Jeanette was assaulted and restrained by her kidnapper.
• Her brother, Paul, attempted to rescue her but was overpowered.
• Their mother, Roselia, also confronted the kidnapper but was injured in the process.
• Jeanette witnessed the violence and feared for her family's safety.

Jeanette's Courage and Action

• Despite being terrified, Jeanette decided to fight back.
  • Realized she needed to take action since police had no leads.
• After several days of captivity, she formulated a plan to gain her kidnapper's trust.

Captivity and Planning Escape

• During captivity, Jeanette kept mental notes of their location in hopes of escaping.
• On the second day, she managed to manipulate her captor into allowing her some freedom, asking for a glass of water, and examining her surroundings.

The Pizza Call

• The kidnapper made her call for pizza using a cell phone.
  • During the call, she memorized the address given to her by the kidnapper.
• The pizza delivery included a flyer of her missing person notice, confirming the seriousness of her situation.
• Jeanette took the flyer and other evidence to prepare for her eventual escape.

Escape and Rescue

• On the day of her escape, after being threatened with death, Jeanette was finally released at a liquor store by her kidnapper.
• She ran to the cashier for help and dialed 911.
• Police, led by Detective Heather Randall, quickly responded to her location.

Evidence and Arrest of the Kidnapper

• Jeanette provided crucial evidence that led the police to her kidnapper's house.
  • Detailed the layout and provided the address based on her memories.
• Police arrested the kidnapper, David Montiel Cruz, and found evidence of the crime.
• Cruz faced multiple felony charges including sexual assault and kidnapping.

Aftermath of the Incident

• Jeanette was reunited with her family after medical treatment.
• The family struggled with the aftermath, but they were grateful to be together.

Jeanette's Recovery and Future

• Jeanette struggled with fear and trauma due to her experience.
• After years of therapy, she decided to pursue a career in law enforcement.
• Aim: to become a detective and advocate for victims.

Conclusion

• Jeanette's story demonstrates resilience and the power of courage in the face of unimaginable circumstances.
• Highlights the importance of community and law enforcement in rescuing victims.