The mystery of a six-year-old boy’s abduction from Oakland in 1951 has finally been solved after 73 years.
Luis Armando Albino has been located thanks to the tireless efforts of his devoted niece, who never lost hope of finding him.
Luis, now 79, was playing in what was then Jefferson Square Park in West Oakland with his older brother, Roger, when he was taken by a woman on February 21, 1951. The woman enticed him away with the promise of candy.
Following his abduction, Luis was flown across the country to the East Coast, where he was raised by a couple in New York City as their own son. His mother held on to the hope that he might one day be found, but she passed away in 2005 at the age of 92, never knowing what happened to him.
A breakthrough in the case occurred earlier this year when Luis’s niece, Alida Alequin, 63, used DNA testing and newspaper clippings to search for him. Having remained in Oakland, Alida was determined to locate her long-lost uncle. With assistance from local police, the FBI, and the Department of Justice, she managed to piece together the clues. Oakland police stated that her efforts were crucial in locating Luis.
In the years since his abduction, Luis has led a fulfilling life, serving as a firefighter and a Marine, including two tours in Vietnam. He also became a father and grandfather.
Alida successfully organized a reunion for Luis and Roger, now 83, allowing the brothers to meet for the first time in 73 years. She shared with Mercury News that her uncle hugged her, saying, “Thank you for finding me,” and kissed her on the cheek.
The reunion was bittersweet, as Roger had recently been diagnosed with cancer and had limited time left.
“They embraced tightly and talked for a long time,” Alida recalled, as the brothers caught up on their lives, including their military service and the day of the kidnapping.
Luis saw Roger one last time in July before he passed away in August.
“I think he died happily, at peace knowing his brother was found. I’m so grateful I could bring him closure,” Alida said. She believes their mother would have been “very happy” and never stopped believing Luis was alive.
“I’m thrilled to have done this for my mom and uncle. It’s a happy ending,” she added. “I was always determined to find him, and maybe sharing our story can help other families in similar situations. I encourage them not to give up.”
Luis has yet to speak with the media but has some memories of his kidnapping. He recalls that the adults he thought were his parents in New York refused to answer any questions about the circumstances of his abduction, leaving him in the dark. The individuals he believed were his parents have since passed away.
