Santeria healer wanted on grand theft charges

By Jeremy Lipps

May 29, 2007

Police are searching for one of two brothers who allegedly used spirituality to scam hundreds of victims out of thousands of dollars in the South Bay, San Jose police announced today.

Since November 2006, police have been investigating a faith healer named John Alexander Manrique Salazar, 23, of San Jose, who called himself "Master Alexander,'' and advertised that he could solve personal and relationship problems.

In August 2006, an Oakland woman called the advertised phone number and talked to a group called Comunidad Esotorica located at 1140 Pedro St. in San Jose, according to police.

The Pedro Street office had an altar room with statues of Jesus and the Virgin Mary as well as a pentagram and candles and other items associated with Santeria, Catholicism and Wicca, San Jose police Detective Manuel Jurado said.

After telling her story to the alleged healers about problems with her infant daughter, a man named John Salazar told her the child was cursed and needed saving. John Salazar allegedly said he could save the child's life for a fee.

The victim gave John Salazar more than $10,000 for a month-long treatment, police reported.

An investigation revealed a second suspect, Carlos Manrique Salazar, 34, of San Jose, and hundreds of additional victims who paid thousands of dollars for various treatments.

The brothers allegedly preyed on people throughout the Bay Area using Santeria, a mix of Afro-Caribbean and Catholic beliefs.

The healers allegedly used Hispanic media to get their message out, including ads in Spanish language radio and print.

Jurado called the investigation long and tedious and said John Salazar had agreed to turn himself into authorities.

"He made a commitment he was going to self-surrender but he went sideways on that,'' Jurado said.

Jurado turned the case over to the Santa Clara County District Attorney's Office and the suspects were charged with five counts of grand theft with false pretense and one count of attempted grand theft.

Carlos Salazar was arrested in Houston after returning on a flight from Colombia and is now in custody, but police are still searching for John Salazar, whom they say could still be practicing in the Bay Area as a faith healer.

Investigators are encouraging anyone with information on this case or suspect John Salazar's whereabouts to contact Jurado at (408) 277-4521.

For those wishing to remain anonymous call Crime Stoppers at (408) 947-STOP

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