A man accused of kidnapping three children and attempting to hold them for ransom to recoup the cost of repairing his vandalized vehicle has been charged with three counts of child kidnapping.

The first-degree felony charges against Juan Estephan Lopez, 21, were filed Tuesday in 3rd District Court.

On June 30, an 11-year-old juvenile told police he was on his way to Sherwood Park, near 1500 West and 200 South, when Lopez grabbed him by the neck and put him inside his car, according to the charges.

Lopez asked the boy, "Why did you paint my car?" The boy denied painting the car and told him that it was actually another boy who had done it, the charges said.

Lopez and a 15-year-old juvenile who was with him also grabbed another 11-year-old they suspected and forced him into the car.

While driving with the boys, they then saw the 12-year-old boy who the first boy had told Lopez was the one who had done to the painting. So they put him inside the vehicle as well, according to the charges.

"Lopez then called (one of the boys' mothers) and demanded $1,000 or he would not return (the boys,)" the charges said.

Lopez said he was going to keep the boys until the mother paid him to repaint his car, the charges said.

In the meantime, Lopez had dropped off the 15-year-old who was with him and the 12-year-old boy at approximately 2100 S. Redwood Road and continued to drive with the two 11-year-old boys, the charges said.

During the investigation, a police detective located Lopez driving a yellow Chevrolet Aveo and conducted a traffic stop. Officers found the two boys in the vehicle, according to the charges.

Police said Lopez was upset that an obscenity was spray-painted on his car.

— Ethan Thomas