Suspect accused in extortion of Hispanics

Suspect accused in extortion of Hispanics

Posted: June 20, 2008 10:39 PM CDT

AUSTIN, Texas (KXAN) - More Austin victims are coming forward, saying a man threatened to kill their families if they don't pay up.

Suspect Olvin Velasquez, 25, targets men and women in the Hispanic community, police said.

Velasquez was first arrested in February for repeatedly calling a woman, demanding anywhere between $1,000 and $30,000.

When the woman told police, they tracked the calls to a pay phone at Interstate 35 and Rundberg Lane. A nearby store clerk helped them connect the dots to Velasquez.

After KXAN Austin News aired that arrest, Elizabeth Celaya and another man reported similar crimes. Celaya said Velasquez worked for her brother-in law, got her number and demanded money.

"'Do you know what's going to happen to you if you don't do what I tell you to do? I'm going to kill your mother and your father and your daughter,' he told me and that he knows my little girl," Celaya quoted Velasquez as telling her.

"It appears that the victims are from Mexico. I don't know what their immigration status is, but it sounds like he knows these individuals and that's where the stalking comes into play. He knows they have family members in Mexico," said Austin Police Sergeant Richard Stresing.

Austin Police have Velasquez in custody on two more stalking charges. Austin police are asking people to come forward if they think they have been threatened by him.

http://www.kxan.com/Global/story.asp?S=8534413