Amber Alert: Dramatic scene on freeway as father’s car found

An Amber Alert for four Montebello children appears to have come to a dramatic end on a San Diego County freeway after California Highway Patrol officers found and stopped the car believed to be carrying the kids.

The alert was issued after the body of a woman was discovered in the trunk of one of the family’s cars Wednesday night, according to police.

The family of six, including Daniel Perez, 43, his wife, Erica Perez, 39, and their four children were said to be missing since Friday, police said. A report was filed Wednesday.

This morning, the CHP stopped Daniel Perez’s Toyota Camry on a freeway in Santee. Television choppers were broadcasting the standoff. San Diego TV stations reported some of the children are now in CHP custody but it was unclear how many.

The family car was located around 5 p.m. Wednesday about half a mile from the Perez home at Harden Avenue and 3rd Street, police said.

Police are now searching for a black 2014 Toyota Camry with California license plate No. 7FDS891, Lopez said.

Family members made a public plea for the boys’ safe return.

“Please Daniel, please just drop the kids off,” said Pamela Valdez, the boys’ aunt. “They are innocent.”

Relatives tell police they haven’t seen family of six since Friday. They were reported missing Wednesday.

Photos and descriptions of the children, sons Jordan, 11, Jaiden, 9, Tristan, 8 and Alex, 6, have been released by police in an effort to locate them.

Police said the couple’s marriage was “unstable” and that they have a history of domestic violence, according to family members.

Anyone with information about their whereabouts was asked to contact Montebello police Det. Paul Antista at (323) 887-1313.