Two Agua Prieta men have been arrested for the robbery and kidnapping of a 71-year old Cochise man.

According to Carol Capas of the Cochise County Sheriffs Dept. around 12 noon Friday, Feb. 26 the CCSO was advised of a robbery that had occurred in the community of Cochise southwest of Willcox.

 “Deputies responded to the residence and located a 71 year old man who was (still) tied up with duct tape in the bedroom,” Capas said.

Upon helping him get free of the tape the victim advised deputies that two Hispanic men came to his residence on Thursday night looking for food and water. He provided them with food and allowed them to make several phone calls to Mexico and Douglas looking for a ride south.

Capas said the man allowed the two subjects to stay the night outside of his residence, which they did.

“On Friday morning one of the subjects asked the victim to heat up some food that he had gotten from a neighbor,” Capas said.

The victim then reportedly went inside of his residence closing the door behind him and proceeded to the kitchen to heat the food.

“The two subjects had entered the residence without the knowledge or consent of the victim and approached him in the kitchen,” Capas said. “Once inside of the kitchen the subjects grabbed the victim from behind (and) held a knife to his throat and threatened him.”

Capas said the two men secured the victims hands and feet with duct tape, also taping his mouth before placing him on the bed in his room.

According to reports the two subjects then took a handgun and some cash from the residence before taking a 1965 Volvo and leaving the scene.

The victim struggled to get off of the bed and began licking the inside of the tape to loosen it from his mouth.

“He was able to get the tape away from his mouth and pull the phone off of the side table before dialing 911 with his tongue,” Capas said

With the information provided, the Sheriff’s Office issued an attempt to locate for the vehicle to all local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies within Cochise County, Pima County, and Hidalgo County (New Mexico), Capas said.

At approximately 1:00 pm the Arizona Department of Public Safety advised that they were behind the stolen vehicle in Douglas and CCSO deputies responded.

The vehicle was stopped and the two suspects, identified as Gilberto Quiroz-Moreno, 27, and Fernando Quiroz-Moreno, 34, illegal immigrants from Agua Prieta Mexico, were taken into custody and booked into the Cochise County Jail.

Capas said each of the men was charged with armed robbery, aggravated assault, motor vehicle theft, kidnapping and burglary.

Both subjects are being held without bond.

The investigation is being continued by the Cochise County Sheriff’s Office.