A California man, who reportedly cross-dresses on social media and was out on bond for attempted murder, allegedly kidnapped and assaulted an elderly woman in South Carolina after she stopped providing him with financial assistance, police said Thursday.
Enver Marius Zueros, 34, was arrested Monday and is charged with first-degree burglary, kidnapping, and attempted murder in the extortion attempt targeting an 89-year-old woman.
"This man will not see the light of day. He will spend the rest of his natural life in prison," Summerville Police Chief Doug Wright said during a news conference.
Authorities said the victim was found Sunday with her wrists bound with duct tape, a dog leash around her ankles, and a bag over her head. Police suspect Zueros had a distant online connection to the woman’s brother, WCIV-TV reported. The woman had maintained a relationship with him via text and email while offering financial assistance.
Police said Zueros, a resident of Mission Viejo, California, became upset when the woman began donating money to charities instead of giving it to him. He allegedly rented an Airbnb in the area to target her.
"This wasn’t random," Wright said. "He knew exactly who he was targeting and had a plan in place. It’s a terrifying example of how dangerous some of these situations can become."
Zueros was inside the woman’s home when a retired law enforcement neighbor grew suspicious and rang the doorbell. Zueros gave a fake name and claimed the victim was hospitalized after falling in the shower.
The neighbor, still wary, went home to retrieve a gun, police said. Zueros fled the scene in the woman’s vehicle.
Authorities later found the vehicle with the victim restrained underneath the rear folding seats in the car floorboard. Zueros was subsequently arrested, and the victim sustained minor injuries but is reportedly doing well, Wright said.
Zueros is being held in a local jail after being denied bond.
U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., criticized California Gov. Gavin Newsom on social media over the incident.
"@GavinNewsom, keep your criminal scum out of South Carolina," she wrote on X. *"This traveling trnny and attempted murderer from your state brutalized a constituent of mine. Come get it."**
In a follow-up post, Mace blamed California’s lenient criminal justice policies for the incident, stating, "California policies affecting our state. This guy was out on bond for attempted murder…!"
Zueros faces serious charges, and authorities are emphasizing the premeditated nature of the crime, warning of the dangers posed by such predatory behavior.
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