2 of 4 suspects accused of kidnapping Vallejo woman for ransom appear in court

VALLEJO, Calif. (KGO) -- Two of four suspects accused of kidnapping a Vallejo woman for ransom appeared in court Monday in Solano County.

Police said Emmanuel Espinoza, 26, is the ringleader and is being held on $1 million bail.

WATCH VIDEO: 4 arrested in Vallejo kidnapping for ransom; Victim still missing

All four suspects declined to provide a comment to ABC7 News.

Prosecutors said the motive for the kidnapping was all about money.

Espinoza is accused of kidnapping for ransom in connection with the mysterious disappearance of Elvie Babb, 57, and pleaded not guilty on Monday. "Kidnapping for ransom is a more significant crime as far as punishment because it is subject to life imprisonment as opposed to regular kidnapping without ransom," Solano County Deputy District Attorney Karen Jensen said.

Jensen said the suspects were asking for $60,000.

Elvie was last seen on June 29 when a coworker dropped her off at a store named Sea Food City Market in Vallejo.

Police said her son, John Babb, received a text message on June 30 from an unknown number, stating that they had his mother. They demanded money and threatened to kill her if he did not comply, or contacted the police.

John went to his moms one-bedroom apartment in Vallejo where he found her dog dead inside with no signs of forced entry.

Over the weekend, the four suspects were arrested in Sacramento and Fairfield.

Larry Young, 23, appeared in court as well Monday, but his arraignment on a kidnapping for ransom charge was postponed until Tuesday when the other two suspects will also appear in court. Bail is set at $1 million. "Investigators are still wrapping up the case, but obviously the focus, which has always been the focus of the case is locating the victim," Vallejo Police Department Lt. Jeff Bassett said.

The suspects are not cooperating and investigators hope she is still alive.

Police have been working with Fairfield police, Sacramento police, the FBI and the United States Marshal's office.

The investigation is still ongoing. Police are asking anyone who may have information about this case or the whereabouts of the victim to contact Detective Terry Poyser of the Vallejo Police Department at (707) 648-4080.

Bay City News contributed to this story.