Kidnapping suspect allegedly threatened to take woman ‘to the country to die.’ He later claimed to cops it was a joke.

Two suspects were arrested and charged in connection to a man and woman held hostage at a Texas apartment over a dispute about money.

On Jan. 7, police said the alleged victims called for help and claimed Alfred Bela Jr., 38, and Juanita Rosa, 29, had tied them up and assaulted them at a San Antonio apartment, KSAT reported.

According to police, Bela allegedly threatened to hold the female victim for $3,000 ransom after one of the suspects claimed she had stolen money.

An affidavit obtained by KSAT states the male victim told detectives he could hear the female victim as she was getting assaulted “but could not do anything and felt helpless” since he was restrained and blindfolded.

The affidavit states the man also said Bela allegedly threatened to take him and the female victim “to the country to die” — a claim Bela later denied, telling police he was joking.

During the ordeal, police said, the male victim managed to free himself and attempted to escape, but he was caught and allegedly beaten with a stick.

The man and woman were eventually untied and let go, according to police.

Bela and Rosa face charges of two counts of aggravated kidnapping and were booked into the Bexar County jail. Bela was being held on a $200,000 bond and Rosa on a $170,000 bond.

A third suspect connected to the case, Crystal Rose Villarreal, 35, was arrested on Jan. 13 and charged with two counts of aggravated kidnapping, and three counts of felony drug possession, WOAI-TV reported.

She was being held on $250,000 bond, according to the station.