Two New Mexico boys have been missing since December 16 and family members are desperate for answers after the pair reportedly got brutally beaten while being recorded.
Albuquerque Metro Crime Stoppers reports that 15 year old Collin Romero and 14-year-old Ahmed Lateef, both of Albuquerque, were allegedly beaten while someone captured the incident and shared it on Snapchat, although it’s unclear when the video was taken. Since then, the boys had not been seen or heard from.
Collin’s mother, Amanda Kimbrel, reported her son missing after someone told her about the the video. According to Crime Stoppers, the pair may have been involved in a marijuana deal near Tivoli and Golden Gate NE, when something went wrong.
Spokesperson for the Albuquerque Police Department, Simon Drobik, said both boys are considered to be in danger. While Ahmed has a felony warrant out of for his arrest, police are more worried about finding him safe. Drobik declined to say what the warrant was for.
Kimbrel, who told KOB4 that Christmas was not the same without her son, said that Snapchat has the video of the alleged attack but hasn’t handed it over to authorities yet.
“They were being beaten very, very brutally, pistol-whipped,” Kimbrel explained. “Snapchat has this information and they are refusing to hand it over.”
Drobik explained that the boys were bleeding and appeared to have broken bones in the video. Police are reportedly awaiting the information after providing Snapchat with a search warrant, according to the outlet.
Drobik warned that rumors and speculation on social media could hinder the progress in finding the boys. He explained how dangerous spreading false information can be in the case, according to KRQE.
“It’s very dangerous for the investigation if people are putting innuendos out there and rumors and speculation. We need facts and facts are what gets cases solved. In this case you know, you can get people in trouble, people can start turning on each other, other people could get hurt.”
Kimbrel told local outlet KOAT that although she is trying to prepare herself for the worst, she won’t give up until she finds her boy.
“I think that money was owed, or drugs were involved some way or another on some person’s end or another,” Kimbrel said. “I am preparing myself for the worst, but he’s alive until we find him.”
Collin is described as standing 5-feet-10-inches tall, weighing 180 pounds with brown hair and brown eyes. Police have not provided a description for Ahmed.
Anyone with any information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers at (505) 843-STOP (7867). Anonymous tips can be submitted via the P3 Tips mobile app or at P3tips.com. There is currently a $1,000 reward offered for information on their whereabouts.
[Feature Photo: Collin Romero and Ahmed Lateef/Albuquerque PD]
