The grandfather of a kidnapped 6-year-old Nevada boy was arrested late Friday in Southern California after investigators said they believed the abduction may be linked to the man's drug dealings with Mexican nationals.
Clemons Fred Tinnemeyer was arrested in the city of Riverside by United States Marshals, according to San Bernardino County Sheriff's records. He was being held at the Central Detention Center in the city of San Bernardino.
U.S. Marshals' and Las Vegas police officials had no further information about the arrest early Saturday. San Bernardino County sheriff's officials did not immediately return a call seeking comment.
The boy, Cole Puffinburger, was abducted from a Las Vegas home Wednesday morning by three men posing as police officers. Police said they believe the men were Mexican drug dealers and that the kidnapping at gunpoint was a "message" to Tinnemeyer.
Nevada officials canceled the nationwide Amber Alert but aren't saying why. The alert was issued after two men tied up Cole's mother and her boyfriend at their house Wednesday and abducted Cole.
Tinnemeyer, 51, may have stolen millions of dollars from the Mexican nationals, said Officer Cris Johnson, a Las Vegas police spokesman. Johnson declined to say what role Tinnemeyer played in the drug operation or whether the kidnappers were seeking a ransom.
Police believe methamphetamine was involved, Johnson said.
Las Vegas police Capt. Vincent Cannito said a third man was believed to be involved and that police had "several" other persons of interest in the case, but no suspects in the abduction.
Authorities also were investigating whether other family members had ties to the drug operation, Johnson said.
"Money is a huge factor, obviously. Drugs are a huge factor," Johnson said. "The only innocent person involved in this entire operation is the boy."
The FBI, Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Drug Enforcement Administration are investigating.
