CAMERON, Texas – An arsenal of weapons were found on a suspect who lured a Pearland teen away from her home Thursday night, according to Cameron police. The weapons and other disturbing materials were discovered when police found Nicholas Vega, 23, with 15-year-old Emily Lindsey.
Vega and Emily were sparring partners at a self-defense class. Emily's family members thought their relationship was nothing more than friendship, and were shocked to find out the two were closer than they originally thought. After Emily disappeared, the Texas Center for the Missing issued a Houston Regional Amber Alert for the teen.
Recommended Videos
Vega and Emily were found early Friday after a Cameron police officer crossed paths with them.
The officer was on Highway 77 returning from another call around 2:25 a.m. when he noticed a man wearing all black clothing and black gloves standing near a guard rail on Big Elm Creek Bridge.
The officer approached the man, later identified as Vega, and conducted a frisk search. The officer found a knife on Vega and immediately confiscated it for safety reasons. The officer asked Vega if he was OK, and if he needed help with anything.
Vega allegedly told the officer that his car had broken down and he was walking to Waco. Vega told the officer that he was from Houston and just needed to get to Waco.
The officer told Vega he would assist him and get him somewhere safe.
Vega told the officer that he was staying underneath the bridge and wanted to get his things. He also said he had a friend with him. The officer watched Vega walk underneath the bridge and grab his things, then walk back with a teen girl.
According to police, Vega was carrying a black back pack. The officer ordered Vega to put the backpack down and then asked if he had any weapons in it. Vega admitted that he had a 9mm pistol in the backpack.
The officer removed the loaded weapon from the backpack, and placed Vega and the girl in his patrol car.
The officer ran Vega's driver's license and discovered that he had an outstanding warrant out of Pearland for enticement of minor for indecent purposes.
The officer then asked the girl if she had any identification on her and she told him "No." The girl gave the officer a fake name, but another officer who arrived to the scene recognized the two as the subjects of the Amber Alert, police said.
Both Vega and Lindsey were transported to the Milam County Sheriff's Office.
Emily's parents arrived to Cameron, spoke with police officers, then transported the girl to McLane Children's Hospital in Temple for examination.
Upon a search of Vega's black pack, a number of illegal weapons were found. In addition, Vega had handcuffs and chains with him.
Vega has been charged with unlawful carrying of a weapon.