RICHMOND, Va. – Police have asked for the public’s help to identify and locate a male suspect, and a white utility van, wanted in a child abduction Monday evening.
The incident happened at approximately 5:07 p.m. Monday. Officers responded to the 1900 block of New York Avenue in reference to an abduction of a 12-year-old boy.
“The victim reported that while walking in the area, he was abducted by a male who pushed him into a van. Once the van stopped, the victim was able to escape and call police,” Richmond Police said in a press release.
The suspect was described as a white man in his mid-30s with blond to sandy blond hair. He had closely- shaven facial hair and a medium build. He was wearing a long gray coat at the time of the incident.
The suspect’s vehicle was described as a white utility van with a ladder on the top and a round “Virginia is for Lovers” sticker on the rear beneath the window.
“Normally it’s safe to walk around”
The people who live in the neighborhood where this abduction happened said they are surprised.
“Strange, strange,” Mark Brandon, who lives right next to alleged abduction location, said. “Right over here is my house and apparently what took place is right over here beside my house, so just a matter of a few feet, so it’s upsetting.”
“Normally it’s safe to walk around,” Gloria Bouldin, the President of the Maymont Civic League, said.
Bouldin said there are a lot of white utility vans that come to the neighborhood.
“There’s a lot of vans and trucks, plumbers trucks come through here, I see them every day,” Bouldin said.
Bloudin and Brandon said they will keep their eyes peeled for the van, but they still believe their community is safe.
“It’s very unusual. This is very unusual. It’s either a really bad random act, or there is going to be some other story we don’t know yet,” Brandon said.
Anyone with any information about this vehicle or suspect is asked to call Major Crimes Detective Steve Kendell at (804) 646-3378 or Crime Stoppers at 780-1000. Citizens can also text Crime Stoppers at 274637, using the key word “ITip” followed by your tip or submit a tip online at http://www.7801000.com.
