Sheriff Working with Berwick PD, FBI to Determine Possible Link to Recent Berwick Abduction
Sheriff Walt Emming on Monday issued a warning to Far Hollow locals after an attempted kidnapping outside the Shaw Avenue Center, where day care for children pre-K through 5 is offered. Last Thursday, officers responded to a 911 call after a vehicle without Shaw Center stickers pulled up by the play yard and a man wearing a bandana got out and tried to grab a toddler. (The Gazette is withholding the child’s name because it is a minor.)
“We have a vehicle description,” Emming said. “We have several eyewitness accounts, although those aren’t always the most reliable. Unfortunately, no one had their phone out and we don’t have any video of the incident. If you saw anything and haven’t yet been spoken to, please call the Sheriff’s Department tip line and share anything you can remember.”
Staffers intervened, retrieving the child before it could reach the gate, one of the junior center employees throwing a brick at the would-be kidnapper. The vehicle, which police believe had two occupants, the driver and a passenger, sped away, heading South. If you saw the vehicle in question or got even a partial license plate number, Emming encourages you to come forward, even if it’s only a single letter or number.
“You’d be surprised at how we can quickly tie vehicles together. Make, model, even just a license plate digit, and use that to narrow our potential targets. This vehicle was an older model SUV, dark grey or faded black, missing at least one hubcap. The front right quarterpanel may be dented. We’re on alert, and are advising all parents to be diligent. There was a successful kidnapping in Berwick on the 20th, and we’re working with state and local authorities to try and determine if the incidents are connected. If you’re not a parent, or are but don’t utilize these facilities, please keep an eye out, and share any suspicious activity. You never know which tip might lead to an arrest. “
In the Berwick case, 4-year-old Daniel Villa was snatched while awaiting pickup from the grammar school. No vehicle was spotted and it’s unclear how the toddler got onto the street given how Berwick releases its students at the end of the school day, but it’s possible he may have been lured to the fence, and pulled over while no one was looking. A $50,000 reward has been posted, and other youth groups are promising to add to it.
