As Boston police continue their investigation into the kidnapping of Olivia Ambrose, the suspect's brother says there has been a mistake.
Victor Pena is accused of kidnapping and holding 23-year-old Ambrose captive in his Charlestown apartment for three days before she was found alive Tuesday.
Police have said their investigation is ongoing and that they don't yet know why he would have taken her, but Victor Pena's family says they already know the truth.
“For us, seeing him kidnap her is out of the question," said Jose Pena of his brother Victor. "There’s not a doubt, he didn’t do it. He would not kidnap this girl."
Jose Pena said he recently spoke to his brother, who is currently being held without bail as he completes a 20-day mental health evaluation at Bridgewater State Hospital.
“Only thing he said is, he said she was drunk, she asked me for help, I helped walk her, I went to my place, and I didn’t even touch this girl,” Jose Pena said of his brother's explanation.
Police say surveillance video helped them establish a timeline from the night Ambrose went missing, from the moment she left Hennessy’s Bar to when she got on the T with Victor Pena.
The pair was then seen again on surveillance in Charlestown, leading police to the building and unit where Ambrose and Victor Pena were.
But Jose Pena believes this is all a misunderstanding.
“My brother is slow," Jose Pena explained. "He’s 38 but mentally he’s 17, 18 so he’s like a teenager."
Boston’s Public Housing Czar said Thursday that officials are working to evict Victor Pena from his apartment where Ambrose was found.
"Given recent developments, we will move with all deliberate speed with eviction proceedings," a statement from the Boston Housing Authority read. "The safety of our residents and neighbors is our highest priority."
The BHA says Victor Pena had not had a reported incident in the 10 years that he has been a resident of its Bunker Hill Housing Development.
The statement also added that a full screening, including a criminal records check, was done prior to his housing offer.
Prior to this incident, the BHA says it had not received any information of concern from any public safety entities or residents during background screening or during Victor Pena's tenancy.
The BHA also reports that it conducts annual living unit inspections of every apartment and responds to requests for repairs and maintenance.
