UPDATE: Missing Hollister teen is found safe at US border, suspect wanted

UPDATE 3:43 p.m.: Hollister Police Chief Dave Westrick said 19-year-old Vanessa Flores made contact with US Border Patrol while she was walking across the border into the U.S. from Tijuana, Mexico. That’s where police said she gave her name and explained she’d heard she was a missing person.

Westrick said she was alone at the border. Police are looking into whether she was kidnapped or not. During her disappearance last August, investigators believed she was being held against her will by suspect Jose Barajas. Barajas is wanted in Flores’ disappearance and in the death of her friend 19-year-old Ariana Zendejas.

On Monday, police said they believe Barajas is in Mexico. They also said Flores is being questioned about Barajas’ wherabouts. Police are still offering a $25,000 reward for information leading to his arrest.

Westrick also said he wouldn’t comment on Flores’ condition. She has not been charged with anything but police said it’s an open investigation.

PREVIOUS STORY: Hollister Police Chief David Westrick reports 19-year-old Vanessa Flores “has been found and is home with her family.”

Westrick posted the information to his Facebook page on Monday morning and said the department will have more information on her return later in the day. The Hollister Police Department is still looking for suspect Jose Barajas.

Police said Flores was found crossing into the U.S from Tijuana, Mexico Saturday morning. Flores went missing after her friend, 19-year-old Ariana Zendejas, was shot and killed in Hollister last August. Police believed Flores was being held against her will by Barajas.

On Monday, police said US Customs and Border Protection identified Flores and contacted Hollister detectives to respond.

Police are still asking for any information on this case. Tips can be reported anonymously on the WeTip Hotline at 800-87-CRIME. Information provided to WeTip may qualify for a reward.