Chapter 2

The Milito Diablo Syndicate, a formidable and well-entrenched criminal organization, was responsible for the kidnapping of Helen Hillsdale. This syndicate had a widespread presence across several southern states of the United States, ranging from Texas to California and reaching as far north as Colorado. Their influence and operations were extensive and deeply rooted, making them a significant force in the criminal underworld.

Each state where the syndicate operated housed a “branch office” —a paramilitary compound where they conducted their business. These compounds were more than mere offices; they were fortified strongholds, heavily guarded and shrouded in secrecy. The security and concealment surrounding these compounds were so adequate that they remained mainly impenetrable to law enforcement. For the authorities to launch a raid, they would need a warrant, which required concrete evidence linking the compounds to criminal activities. However, the syndicate meticulously ensured that no such incriminating evidence was traceable to these locations.

The Milito Diablo Syndicate was strategic in its criminal activities, conducting all illicit operations outside the compounds. This separation of their business and illegal activities was calculated to protect their assets and operations. Inside these fortified walls, they stored their wealth, trained their personnel, and engaged in business dealings with external entities. The compounds were essentially self-contained hubs equipped with airstrips capable of accommodating large aircraft like C-130s. These airstrips were crucial for cargo movement, including supplies such as food, water, and clothing for their troops.

The Texas compound played a pivotal role in the abduction of Helen Hillsdale. It was from this location that the syndicate planned and financed her kidnapping. This act was likely a calculated move to leverage the Hillsdale family’s wealth and influence, possibly for a substantial ransom or to gain leverage in their criminal endeavors.

The kidnapping of Helen Hillsdale by such an organized and powerful criminal group highlighted the extent of the danger she faced due to her family’s prominence. It also underscored the challenges faced by law enforcement in tackling such well-protected and elusive criminal organizations. For the Hillsdale family, dealing with the Milito Diablo Syndicate would require a combination of resources, strategy, and possibly, the intervention of specialized entities like the Rangers, whom William Hillsdale had previously employed for high-risk operations.

The Milito Diablo Syndicate’s plan for kidnapping Helen Hillsdale was meticulously crafted, showcasing their sophistication in criminal operations. The plan involved the following key steps: The syndicate planned to use two unmarked cars, likely stolen, to avoid being traced. This tactic would help them operate under the radar of law enforcement. The operation was to be executed by a team of five men — two in the lead car and three in the rear (or “wheel”) car. This staffing distribution was designed to execute the abduction efficiently and deal with resistance.

The kidnapping was to take place outside a café where Helen regularly had lunch with a friend. The syndicate planned to trap her vehicle between their two cars as she left to go shopping. The lead car would block her car from the front, while the wheel car would prevent it from escaping from the rear.

The five men would then swiftly exit their vehicles, brandishing weapons. They were instructed to neutralize Helen’s bodyguards immediately, removing the primary obstacle to the kidnapping. Once the bodyguards were dealt with, the team would forcibly take Helen from her car and place her in the back of the wheel car. The wheel car would then transport Helen to a nearby baseball park. At this location, a helicopter would be waiting to quickly airlift Helen and two of the kidnappers to the Texas compound, while the third kidnapper would abandon the vehicle and blend back into his regular life. The lead car would also be ditched to cover their tracks. Upon reaching the Texas compound, Helen would be held captive, becoming a means of entertainment for the syndicate’s soldiers. She would remain there until a ransom was paid. The plan was to arrange a drop-off in a remote desert location, which would be the most dangerous part of the operation. A child, likely chosen for his inconspicuous nature, would be sent to collect the ransom, ensuring that $10 million was delivered. Once the ransom was confirmed, Helen would be released from another location to complete the exchange.

The syndicate’s plan was coldly efficient, designed to minimize risks while maximizing the potential for a successful ransom collection. However, it was fraught with danger, not just for Helen but also for the syndicate members involved. The involvement of a child in such a high-stakes criminal operation was particularly egregious, indicating the syndicate’s ruthless nature.

For Helen, this experience would be traumatic and life-threatening. The plan’s successful execution would depend on precise timing, seamless coordination, and a lack of interference from law enforcement or any other external forces. For the Hillsdale family, responding to this situation would require careful strategy and possibly the involvement of specialized resources to ensure Helen’s safe return.

The unfolding scenario around Helen Hillsdale’s attempted kidnapping highlighted how even the most meticulously planned operations can go awry due to unforeseen circumstances and quick thinking by the intended target.

The key developments were as follows: The kidnappers had not planned for Helen to be armed. This oversight would prove to be a significant miscalculation on their part. Additionally, Helen’s vehicle for transportation was bulletproof, offering her a substantial degree of protection. Helen’s decision to spend additional time upstairs with her girlfriend threw off the kidnappers’ schedule. This delay gave her bodyguard time to recognize the threat and call for reinforcements, although they were not immediately on the scene. Growing impatient with the delay, one of the kidnappers from the lead car took a drastic step. Approaching the limo, he used an anti-tank weapon to fire at the driver’s side of the vehicle. The explosion was lethal for the driver and left Helen dazed but alive, thanks to the limo’s fortified build. Following the explosion, the kidnappers from the wheel car quickly moved to extract Helen from the vehicle. As they opened the passenger door and tried to pull her out, Helen, recovering from her initial disorientation, drew her concealed weapon and shot a kidnapper who was attempting to abduct her.