North Texas Kidnapping, Murder Linked to Venezuelan Gang: Children Rescued

North Texas – Three suspects have been arrested in the kidnapping and murder of a North Texas man, according to Farmers Branch police.

On August 24, 2024, Farmers Branch Police responded to a report of a body found on Valley View Lane in Irving.

The body of 33-year-old Nilzult Petit, who suffered a fatal gunshot wound to the head, was identified.

Officers also discovered two young children, believed to be related to Petit, wandering along I-35E in Lewisville.

Investigators later learned that four Venezuelan gang members had allegedly kidnapped Petit and two children, taking them to an apartment in Farmers Branch.

Police said the suspects fatally shot Petit and then drove the children to an access road along I-35, where they were left unharmed.

Three of the four suspects were arrested and charged with capital murder and two counts of aggravated kidnapping. They were identified as 38-year-old Ehiker Alexander Morales Mendoza, 25-year-old Carlos Luis Zambrano Bolivar and 22-year-old Jhonata Nahin Toro Gonzalez.

A fourth suspect, 29-year-old Jhonny Jesus Martinez Serrano, remains at large.

The investigation revealed that Petit allegedly cooperated with the suspects in a scheme to steal the ATM. After they failed to pay them as agreed, the men reportedly abducted Petit and his two children from his apartment.

Two suspects, Bolivar and Gonzalez, were arrested by ICE in Aurora, Colorado, while Mendoza was found and arrested in New Mexico with the assistance of Homeland Security officials and the Department of Homeland Security.

Officials confirmed that Petit and the suspects were linked to the Venezuelan street gang Tren de Aragua, although detectives believe this particular crime was unrelated to the gang’s activities.

Tren de Aragua, a Venezuelan gang involved in organized crime, has been linked to several criminal activities in North Texas and across the country.

Investigators are asking anyone with information to contact Farmers Branch Police at (972) 919-1406 or [email protected].