Suspected kidnapper arrested for crime committed more than 20 years ago in west U.S.

SAN FRANCISCO, Dec. 10 (Xinhua) -- A man from Southern California on the U.S. west coast, who was suspected of kidnapping a nine-year-old girl in 1995, was arrested, police said Sunday.

Local TV KPIX 5 quoted the police as saying that the girl was originally held for ransom, but the kidnappers abandoned their plan when they learnt her wealthy parents were out of the country at the time.

The 68-year-old man, identified as Kevin Lin, was a member of the kidnappers who regularly targeted children for ransom.

The girl was later found safe and unharmed at a hotel near the San Francisco International Airport.

Police said Lin is now being detained in a jail in San Mateo County, about 30 km south of San Francisco, and he is being held on bail for 5 million U.S. dollars.

The TV report said the police made the arrest following information provided by the U.S. Department of State. Enditem