Kidnapped Madison teen found in Texas

Authorities say a teenager abducted from his Madison home at knifepoint last week has been found in Texas.

Rockingham County Sheriff’s Office spokesman Dean Venable said Tuesday that 17-year-old William Alaxander Benitez was found in Galveston, Texas, after a deputy there pulled over a vehicle. Venable said the occupants fled and Benitez was the only one taken into custody.

The sheriff’s office said last week that Benitez was taken from his home at knifepoint by a group of people packed into two vehicles. Authorities had said they thought the cars were heading to Texas, citing car registrations.

The sheriff’s office did not know the motive for taking the teenager and named only one suspect, 18-year-old Antonio Dejesus Granados. Authorities did not return calls seeking comment Tuesday. 

Police issued an arrest warrant last week for Granados, 18, of Houston, in the kidnapping of Benitez.

Granados is charged with kidnapping and burglary, Detective Dana Taylor said. Taylor said he was the only one identified from the incident and is a cousin.

The sheriff’s office said Benitez’s uncle, Jose Benitez Rivera, said some people entered his home at 151 Stephanie Lane on June 18 and took the boy, as well as some money.

The home is off U.S. 220 South near Williams Road in the 220 Mobile Home Park.