A coordinated multi-agency operation has resulted in the safe recovery of a mother and her two young children after they were abducted from their home in Perinton, New York. The rescue, which concluded Saturday night, led to the arrest of three men who now face serious felony charges in connection with the incident.
The victims—54-year-old Mouna Omar Saleh Ali and her children, 7-year-old Julie Abdullah Qasim Saleh and 9-year-old Hafish Abdullah Qasim Saleh—were located unharmed at a residence in the City of Rochester. The swift resolution follows a high-stakes search that mobilized local, state, and international border authorities to prevent the family from being transported out of the region.
Law enforcement officials indicate that the abduction was allegedly carried out by another family member. The operation highlighted the critical importance of real-time intelligence and inter-agency cooperation, utilizing everything from residential surveillance footage to statewide alert systems to track the suspects’ movements.
The three individuals currently in custody—Gamil S. Ahmed, 31, and Omar Saleh, 30, both of Rochester, and Dajour L. Paul, 26, of Brooklyn—have each been charged with three counts of kidnapping in the second degree, which is classified as a class B felony under New York state law.
The Timeline of the Perinton Abduction
The emergency began on the afternoon of Saturday, May 9, 2026. The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office received a report of an abduction at approximately 3:19 p.m. Initial information suggested that the victims were targeted by a family member with the specific intent of removing them from the area.
Upon arriving at the Perinton home, deputies and investigators immediately began a canvas of the neighborhood. By collecting camera footage from surrounding residences, law enforcement were able to identify the vehicles and individuals involved in the abduction. This visual evidence provided the necessary leads to begin a targeted search of the surrounding region.
As the investigation progressed, officials determined that the abducted individuals may have been in danger, prompting an immediate escalation of the response. A county-wide BOLO (Be On the Lookout) was deployed, and a statewide AMBER Alert was issued to mobilize the public and law enforcement across New York.
A Multi-Jurisdictional Recovery Effort
To ensure the family did not leave the jurisdiction, the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office coordinated a strategic “ring” around potential exit points. This operation involved several high-authority agencies, reflecting the perceived risk of the victims being moved across state or national borders.
Key partners in the recovery effort included:
- The New York State Thruway Authority: Monitoring major highways for the identified suspect vehicles.
- Frederick Douglass Greater Rochester International Airport: Securing air travel exits.
- Canada Border Services Agency: Coordinating with officials at the border to prevent an international crossing.
- New York State Police Special Investigations Unit: Providing intelligence and support through their Intelligence Center to manage the AMBER Alert.
The synthesis of this intelligence eventually led officers to a residence within the City of Rochester. Upon entry, officers located Mouna Omar Saleh Ali and her two children. All three were found to be uninjured and were safely removed from the premises.
Legal Implications and Current Charges
Following the rescue, three suspects were taken into custody and transported to the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office A-Zone for questioning. The subsequent charges of kidnapping in the second degree carry significant legal weight. In New York, a class B felony is a severe offense that can result in substantial prison time, reflecting the gravity of abducting minors and a vulnerable adult.
The suspects—Gamil S. Ahmed, Omar Saleh, and Dajour L. Paul—were transported to the Monroe County CAP court. They are currently awaiting arraignment, where a judge will determine bail and the next steps in the judicial process.
While three arrests have been made, the investigation is far from complete. Authorities have confirmed they are still searching for a fourth suspect, identified as Amar Saleh. The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office has urged anyone with information regarding his whereabouts to contact 911 immediately.
Understanding Kidnapping in the Second Degree
For those unfamiliar with the New York Penal Law, kidnapping in the second degree occurs when a person abducts another person. Unlike first-degree kidnapping, it does not necessarily require the intent to hold the victim for ransom or to facilitate another felony, though the act of abduction itself is treated as a major crime. The “Class B” designation indicates that the state views this as one of the more serious categories of felonies, often reserved for crimes that pose a significant threat to public safety or individual liberty.
Community Impact and Safety Resources
The rapid recovery of the Perinton family serves as a testament to the effectiveness of the AMBER Alert system and the ability of local law enforcement to scale operations quickly. For the community, such events highlight the importance of residential security cameras, which provided the initial evidence needed to identify the suspects.
For residents seeking more information on child safety or how to respond to missing persons alerts, the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children provides comprehensive guidelines on prevention, and reporting. In the event of a suspected abduction, officials emphasize that the first and most critical step is calling 911 to initiate the official law enforcement response.
The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office continues to lead the investigation, working to determine the full motive behind the abduction and the specific roles played by each of the arrested individuals.
The next confirmed checkpoint in this case is the arraignment of Gamil S. Ahmed, Omar Saleh, and Dajour L. Paul at the Monroe County CAP court. Further updates regarding the search for Amar Saleh are expected as the investigation continues.
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