Mexico detains 5 in kidnap-murder of boy

updated 3:42 p.m. ET Sept. 8, 2008

MEXICO CITY - Mexico City police said Monday they have detained five suspects in the kidnap and killing of the 14-year-old son of a prominent businessman, a case that prompted a wave of anti-crime protests across the nation.

Officials said the abductors dressed as federal police and set up a fake checkpoint on a busy Mexico City street to snare victim Fernando Marti. The boy's father, Alejandro Marti, is founder of a chain of sporting-goods stores and health clubs.

City prosecutor Miguel Mancera said the suspected mastermind, Sergio Ortiz, posed as a well-heeled socialite to move among the wealthy and collect information on potential victims.

"The suspect behaved like a person with money, and moved with ease in high society," Mancera said.

The complex undertaking included people accused of stealing vehicles to use in the plan, others to guard and feed the victim, and even some used as spies outside the home of the victim's family, authorities allege.

Boy's family reportedly paid ransom
Mancera said Ortiz was a former agent of a now-disbanded city detective force and led the "Flower Gang" that authorities allege is responsible for kidnapping Marti in June. A yellow flower was found next to Fernando's body, as well as that of the murdered driver. Even though the boy's family reportedly paid a ransom, his decomposed body was found in a car trunk on Aug. 1.

Ortiz has been unable to respond to the accusations. He is under detention at a hospital, recovering from gunshot wounds. Mancera said he was apparently shot by criminal associates after the kidnapping.

Investigators think Marti may have been killed because kidnappers weren't satisfied with the ransom money they received.

The other suspects, including a women accused of organizing the fake police checkpoint, are under house arrest.

The boy's death sparked outrage across Mexico, leading to calls for tougher punishment for serious crimes and a mass anti-crime march of more than 100,000 people in Mexico City on Aug. 31.

More from msnbc.com Red Tape: Now’s your chance to spy on Google Fact or fiction? ‘McCain’ Dems opposed health bill Cosmic Log: Triple delight in the Milky Way Kenyan girls given a chance to dream On Twitter: Breaking news updates | Weird and wild

MORE FROM AMERICAS

Americas Section Front

Blackouts darken Brazil’s 2 largest cities Man gets 25 years in wife's scuba slaying Mexico drug war ensnares Catholic church 10,000 Salvador flood victims need food Brazil college reverses mini-dress expulsion Canadian teen rescued on Arctic ice Colombia turns to U.N. after Chavez war talk Americas Section Front   Add Americas headlines to your news reader: