NEW CASTLE, Del. – Yesterday afternoon at approximately 1:30 p.m., Delaware River and Bay Authority (DRBA) police units detained Luis Johanser Mota, 35, of Stafford, Virginia who had picked up his daughter, age 5, from school in New York City without the consent of the child’s mother and was heading to his Virginia residence.  

Once it was determined that the child was missing, New York City Police Department (NYPD) generated a missing person’s report.  The NYPD determined that the suspect was heading south and contacted the DRBA police dispatch with the description of the vehicle, the driver, and circumstances of the abduction. DRBA police units were positioned on both sides of the southbound span to intercept the vehicle.

Two DRBA police units identified the suspect’s vehicle, followed the vehicle, and conducted a motor vehicle stop just past the Delaware Memorial Bridge Toll Plaza on the left shoulder, with additional units assisting.  The suspect was taken into custody without incident, and the child was secured unharmed.  Late yesterday afternoon, an NYPD officer traveled with the mother of the child to DRBA Police Headquarters to reunite with her child. 

The DRBA police will charge the subject with an Out of State Fugitive Charge.  The NYPD is continuing the investigation into this incident, and additional charges are expected. 

About the Delaware River and Bay Authority 
The DRBA, a bi-state governmental agency created by Compact in 1962, owns and operates the Delaware Memorial Bridge, the Cape May- Lewes Ferry, and the Forts Ferry Crossing.  The DRBA also manages two airports in New Jersey (Millville Executive Airport and Cape May Airport) and three in Delaware (Wilmington Airport, Civil Air Terminal and Delaware Airpark). All DRBA operating revenues are generated through bridge, ferry and airport facilities.  For more information, visit www.drba.net.