Attempted child abduction in Tallahassee, Florida

[Riverwalk!]

http://www.tallahassee.com/article/20091103/BREAKINGNEWS/91103006/UPDATE--TPD-releases-photos-of-truck-connected-to-attempted-abduction

picture of truck at link


Yesterday, just before 7 p.m., the Tallahassee Police Department received a phone call in reference to a suspicious incident that occurred after a local peewee football practice.

The caller, identified as the football coach, indicated that one of his 10-year-old players was leaving practice at Gilchrist Elementary School, when a white male stranger offered the boy a ride home.

The boy refused and the stranger fled as the coach neared the
vehicle.

Accompanying the man inside the vehicle was a white female, who appeared to be approximately 5 years old. The girl has blue eyes and was wearing a pink dress. Based on information received, the girl did not appear to be distressed.

The driver of the vehicle was described as a white male, 25 to 30 years old with brown or black "spiked" hair and wearing reading-type glasses. He was driving a large white pickup, possibly a Ford F-250.

Investigators are asking anyone with information about the above event to contact the Tallahassee Police Department at (850) 891-4200 or Crime Stoppers at (850) 574-TIPS -(8477).

[Dogmatic]

Nice job Coach!!!!!!!!!!

[Chica]

Ahhh, the Sunshine State !!

[Jayne]

Oh, man...something here tells me it's not "just" a predator..but perhaps a child porno ring or child prostitution ring perp?

?

jmo

J

[Riverwalk!]

I understand why they'd be on the lookout for the vehicle, but I've not read anywhere that this was an attempted abduction. What if the child in the truck knew the boy from around school (maybe the boy didn't recognize her), and the father just offered as a friendly gesture to give the boy a ride home? One would think he would have come forward, but what if he's honestly not aware anyone is looking for him?

Maybe he was trying to abduct the boy, I wouldn't know, I just know I didn't read anything that convinced me of that fact. LE could be working off details that have not been released to the public, so I realize it too is possible.

Quoting the LE in my original link with the speeding truck
http://www.tallahassee.com/article/20091103/BREAKINGNEWS/91103006/UPDATE--TPD-releases-photos-of-truck-connected-to-attempted-abduction

“We are still trying to verify what we have," TPD Chief Dennis Jones told the Tallahassee Democrat. "We have a person of interest and if it was an innocent act we hope the person will come forward.”

[Jayne]

I understand why they'd be on the lookout for the vehicle, but I've not read anywhere that this was an attempted abduction. What if the child in the truck knew the boy from around school (maybe the boy didn't recognize her), and the father just offered as a friendly gesture to give the boy a ride home? One would think he would have come forward, but what if he's honestly not aware anyone is looking for him?

Maybe he was trying to abduct the boy, I wouldn't know, I just know I didn't read anything that convinced me of that fact. LE could be working off details that have not been released to the public, so I realize it too is possible.

True..could be..but why would he speed off when the coach approached the vehicle? If I were offering a ride to someone my kid knew (or thought s/he knew)..and I saw a teacher/coach approaching, I'd wait and explain the situation - not speed off.

jmo

j

[HenLee]

True..could be..but why would he speed off when the coach approached the vehicle? If I were offering a ride to someone my kid knew (or thought s/he knew)..and I saw a teacher/coach approaching, I'd wait and explain the situation - not speed off.

jmo

jI agree Jayne, with all the abductions in this state right now, you don't stop to pick up a child and speed off when you see a adult approaching.

[HenLee]

Quoting the LE in my original link with the speeding truck
http://www.tallahassee.com/article/20091103/BREAKINGNEWS/91103006/UPDATE--TPD-releases-photos-of-truck-connected-to-attempted-abduction

“We are still trying to verify what we have," TPD Chief Dennis Jones told the Tallahassee Democrat. "We have a person of interest and if it was an innocent act we hope the person will come forward.”Thanks for the link Riverwalk, very good picture of the truck. Police have good description of vehicle to pass out to all LE. It needs to go out to all news agencies and National news.

[BorderCollieMom]

Sure hope LE is able to get the tag #s off that truck. Those 2 photos from the video cameras are GREAT pictures !

[Zeep]

Heard on the radio earlier today (Tallahassee 104.9 FM), that it's now up to 5 attempted abductions here.

[bluwaters]

LCSO says more children report being approached by strangers (http://www.tallahassee.com/article/20091106/NEWS01/911060325/0/news0102/LCSO-says-more-children-report-being-approached-by-strangers)

"We've analyzed all four incidents and have found some commonalties," Drzewiecki said. For instance, all four incidents occurred as children were walking alone to a school or a bus stop between 8:35 and 9 a.m. In three of the incidents, the suspect asked children if they needed or wanted a ride and did not use force. Two of the incidents involved a dark blue van with a white male driver in his late 20s with dark, spiked hair.

I have also heard that as of today, the number of attempted abductions is up to 5.

What is going on? :confused:

[birdwatch]

LCSO says more children report being approached by strangers (http://www.tallahassee.com/article/20091106/NEWS01/911060325/0/news0102/LCSO-says-more-children-report-being-approached-by-strangers)



I have also heard that as of today, the number of attempted abductions is up to 5.

What is going on? :confused: WOW - if you read the comments in that link it sounds like its open season on women and children in that area. Apparently women are attacked so often its not even news any more..

[Zeep]

I love Tallahassee, but it's a high crime city. There's a new murder in the news practically everyday.

I'm very happy these kidnappings have been thwarted.