SAN DIEGO -- Police officials today credited close cooperation between San Diego and Baja authorities for the speedy resolution of a kidnapping case involving a woman and her six siblings.

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SIBLING ABDUCTION Man Allegedly Abducts Ex-Girlfriend, 6 Siblings

At a news conference at police headquarters, Assistant Police Chief Rulette Armstead said Baja authorities "stepped up to the plate" when they were informed that an alleged kidnapper of two boys had traveled into Mexico, then taken five more hostages in Tijuana.

"We've always enjoyed a good relationship with the Mexican authorities," Armstead said.

Mexican police arrested Victor Eduardo Aguilar, 21, Monday afternoon in Tijuana, Mexico, according to San Diego police spokesman Dave Cohen. He has not yet been charged.

Aguilar allegedly demanded $15,000 for the safe return of the his 21-year-old ex-girlfriend and her siblings, ages 4 months to 17 years, Mexican authorities and San Diego police officials said. They were found unharmed in Tijuana shortly after Aguilar's arrest.

Aguilar began his allaged kidnapping spree when he pulled two of the woman's brothers, ages 6 and 11, into a burgundy-colored GMC pickup truck in the 3800 block of Beyer Boulevard at about 2:30 p.m. Monday, San Diego police Sgt. Bill Holmes said.

The boys were walking home from Smythe Elementary School when they were kidnapped by two men, Holmes said.

According to police reports, Aguilar drove the boys across the border and forced them to tell him where his ex-girlfriend was hiding, Holmes said. The woman was fearful of Aguilar and was staying with relatives in Tijuana to hide from him, police said. Authorities say she had obtained a temporary restraining order against him.

Aguilar found the woman and kidnapped her and four other siblings, Holmes said.

Armstead said an accomplice of the kidnapper also was taken into custody in Mexico.

The assistant chief said Aguilar, a Mexican national deported in the past, "will, in fact, be prosecuted in Mexico."