Luis was found safe and well thanks to his dedicated niece (Picture: Courtesy Alida Alequin)
A six-year-old boy abducted in 1951 has been reunited with his long-lost brother 73 years on after his dedicated niece cracked the cold case.
Luis Armando Albino, who is now 79, was abducted by a woman on February 21, 1951 from a park where he had been playing with his older brother, Roger.
The woman lured him away from his family with promises of sweets, before snatching him and taking him from West Oakland to the east coast, reports the MailOnline.
Luis was then raised by a New York City couple as if he was their own child.
His family said that his mother never gave up home that one day he would return home, before she tragically died in 2005 aged 95, with no idea with what had happened to her son.
Luis’ niece, Alida Alequin, pursued her uncle’s case, using DNA testing and information from newspaper clippings.
Luis was taken to the other side of the states from his home (Picture: NBC Bay Area)
Alida, who still lives in Oakland, managed to enlist help from the local police, FBI and Department of Justice in the search for Luis.
The local police force praised her efforts, saying she played an ‘integral role in finding her uncle’.
Alida was also able to organise a reunion for the two brothers, after 73 years apart.
Luis hugged his niece and ‘said “thank you for finding me” and gave me a kiss on the cheek,’ Alida told Mercury News.
Over the last seven decades, Luis served in the Marine Corps, doing two tours of duty in Vietnam, and worked as a firefighter.
He is also a proud father and grandfather.
The brothers were able to meet a few times before Roger passed away (Picture: Alida Alequin)
However, Luis and Roger’s reunion was bittersweet, as the older brother had been diagnosed with cancer just before they met.
‘They grabbed each other and had a really tight, long hug. They sat down and just talked,’ Alida continued.
Luis and Roger were only able to meet twice before the elder brother sadly passed away in August.
‘I think he died happily. He was at peace with himself, knowing that his brother was found.
‘I was just so happy I was able to do this for him and bring him closure and peace,’ Alida said.
‘I’m so happy that I was able to do this for my mom and (uncle). It was a very happy ending,’ she went on.
‘I was always determined to find him, and who knows, with my story out there, it could help other families going through the same thing. I would say, don’t give up.’
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