Profile

Name: Joel Vidal(as) Urena
Sex: Male
Race: Hispanic
Age Now: 37
Hair (Color, Description, Facial Hair): Brown
Eyes (Color and Correction): Brown
Other Physical Characteristics: Medium complexion\rMay have a moustache
Wanted for: Assault w/deadly weapon ; Oct 05, 1996
Residential Burglary ; Oct 05, 1996
Parole Violation
Attempted Murder ; Oct 05, 1996
False Imprisonment ; Oct 05, 1996
Robbery ; Oct 05, 1996

Locations

Last seen: Unkown
Possible location: Mexico Santa Rosa, CA San Francisco, CA Las Vegas, NV
Last known: Unkown

Traits

Has a large extended family
May be asking family for money
Police say may be a heavy Methamphetamine user

Case Story

A Real-Life Horror Movie In NorCal

They're images out of horror movies: "Jason" and "The Grim Reaper." But on October 5, 1996, these characters became all too real for members of the Kerston family. Police in Cotati, Calif. say on that day, four intruders wearing horror movie masks broke into their home and spent the next 40 minutes terrorizing the family. Cops say the robbers went from room to room looking for valuables and threatening family members. At one point during the rampage, police say, the robbers shot the Kerston's teenage son in the leg and told his parents they would shoot him in the head if they didn't cooperate. But one of the gang members made a big mistake. Family members told the police that one robber appeared to be having trouble seeing through his mask, so he removed it. That allowed the victims to see his face, and police say the Kerstons were able to make a positive ID of the man: Joel Urena. Police say that Urena is a violent criminal with a long history of burglary and assault. Cops say Urena and the other home invaders made off with some cash, as well as some jewelry and electronics. They say a neighbor spotted the gang fleeing in a dark-colored 1980s or 1990s silver or blue metallic Chevy Blazer. Urena, who hasn't been seen since, is also wanted for questioning in connection with a murder near San Francisco.