Arrested: The prime suspect has been identified as 52-year-old Ariel Castro
The prime suspect in the astonishing kidnapping case of three women held captive for ten years has been taken into custody - as well as two of his own brothers.
Ariel Castro, 52, of Cleveland, Ohio was arrested on Monday after one of the alleged victims escaped his home and called police.
He was a school bus driver in the Cleveland area, according to reports.
Only Ariel Castro lived at the home. The brothers lived elsewhere, police told reporters.
Castro's Facebook page depicts a man with a passion for motorcycles and the bass guitar.
His last post to the social networking site on May 2 says: 'Miracles really do happen, God is good :)'
Cleveland's
police chief said on Monday night that the victims were tied up in the house where they were found and had been
there since they disappeared.
The
county prosecutor joined dozens of police officers and sheriff's
deputies at the scene as they began searching the house late Monday.
Authorities say the women have been taken to a hospital to reunite with relatives and seem to be in good health.
Michelle Knight had been missing since 2002, Amanda Berry since 2003 and Gina DeJesus since 2004.
Remarkably, Castro's son - also named Ariel who
now goes by 'Anthony' - penned an article for the Cleveland Plain Press
about the disappearance of Miss DeJesus back in 2004.
Found: Amanda Berry (left) and Gina DeJesus (right) were found alive in Cleveland on Monday following a decade-long search
In custody: Castro is accused of keeping the three women locked up in his house for more than 10 years
Anthony Castro told WKYC-TV reporter Sara Shookman: This is beyond comprehension… I’m truly stunned right now.
Also struck by the allegations, the suspects' uncle, Julio Castro, told CNN: 'I never want to see them again.'
Police didn't immediately provide any
details of how the women were found but said they appeared to be in
good health and had been taken to a hospital to be reunited with
relatives and to be evaluated.
They said a 6-year-old also was found in the home.
On a recorded 911 call Monday, Amanda declared: 'I'm Amanda Berry. I've been on the news for the last 10 years.'
She
said she had been taken by someone and begged for police officers to
arrive at the home on Cleveland's west side before he returned.
I've been kidnapped, and I've been missing for 10 years,' she told the dispatcher. 'And I'm here. I'm free now.'Berry
disappeared at age 16 on April 21, 2003, when she called her sister to
say she was getting a ride home from her job at a Burger King.
DeJesus
went missing at age 14 on her way home from school about a year later.
They were found just a few miles from where they had disappeared.
Police said Michelle went missing in 2002 and is 32 now. They didn't provide current ages for the other two women.
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