Web posted
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Boy found safe in Ark City after reporting abduction
By TYLER GASKILL
Courier Staff Writer
A Winfield boy is back with his family after being abducted from his back yard Wednesday afternoon, according to a press release from the Winfield Police Department.
Prior to the abduction, the boy, 11, was seen around noon Wednesday playing in his family's back yard in west Winfield.
Officers searched the area for the child but had no luck in locating him.
The boy was found at a family member's house in Arkansas City at approximately 4 p.m. after officers with the Winfield Police Department requested that officers with the Ark City Police Department check there.
According to Winfield Police Chief Jerry DeVore, there are no new leads on the case.
"We're just following up on the information we have," DeVore said.
According to the release, the boy said he was playing in the yard when an unknown suspect pulled up next to him and ordered him to get in his truck.
He complied with the order, and the man headed toward Ark City on a rural road.
The boy said the man stopped at an unknown location between Winfield and Ark City, exited the truck and headed for the passenger side.
At that point, another vehicle heading down the road frightened the abductor, and he jumped back in the truck. They continued to travel toward Ark City.
According to the release, the boy was able to convince the man to drop him off at one of his relatives' houses in Ark City. He was later located there by police.
The boy described the man as an older white male, possible in his 60s, with white or gray hair and a beard. He has a medium build and wore glasses.
The truck is described as a small, single cab white pickup, possibly a Dodge, with a black interior and a black tool box in the bed of the truck.
The truck has black wheels and has a standard transmission, according to the boy.
The police department is taking this case seriously and is working to find the man responsible for the abduction.
"At this point, we have no reason not to believe what the young man is saying," DeVore said.
The Winfield Police Department is encouraging anyone who may have witnessed the abduction or may have any other information on this case to call the police department at 221-5555, or call Cowley County Crime Stoppers at 221-7777.
The police department also reminds parents to speak with their children about the importance of not approaching or entering a stranger's vehicle.
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