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Republic families,
We are contacting you this morning with information that has developed overnight. The Republic Police Department is investigating the reported kidnapping of a 10 year old boy that occurred on Hines Street near Boston Lane in Republic on Thursday, September 22, 2016 at approximately 8:10 p.m. The child was able to get free from the kidnappers almost immediately and ran to safety where he reported the crime to Police. We are beyond thankful to report that the child suffered no physical injuries and is safe with family.
We are working closely with the Republic Police Department to provide any assistance needed in this investigation. In addition we will work with this child and his family in the days to come with appropriate resources to help process this incident.
Last evening, the child was leaving a school sports event at Price Elementary and riding a push scooter home along Hines Street near Boston Lane when a white minivan pulled up alongside him. A male passenger inside the minivan yelled for the child to come to the vehicle. When the child did not comply with that request, another male passenger exited the sliding door of the minivan and pulled the child into the vehicle. The child was quickly able to get free of the kidnappers and jump out of the minivan. The suspect vehicle left eastbound on Hines Street towards US Highway 60. The child immediately went back to the school sports event and reported the incident to the Police.
The suspect vehicle is described as a white minivan with side rear windows that are covered with something similar to white window chalk.
The suspects in this investigation are described as follows:
Suspect #1 Driver- White female adult with blond hair
Suspect #2 Passenger- White male adult with short dark hair
Suspect #3 Rear Passenger- White male adult, shoulder length brown straggly hair, gray moustache and goatee with long sideburns. Wearing a brown shirt
The public should immediately contact their local Police, Sheriff or the Missouri State Highway Patrol if they see a similar vehicle and report the license plate information. Anyone with information about this incident should contact the Republic Police Department at (417) 732-3910 and ask to speak with Investigations Lieutenant Tim Wheeler.
The child is safe in this incident because he used good safety skills in refusing to go towards the vehicle when called towards it as well as immediately finding a police officer once he safely freed himself from the minivan. We bring this information to you not only as a way to inform you of this incident, but to remind parents how important it is to have conversations with their children about not approaching suspicious people or vehicles when someone calls them to do so. Additionally, parents are encouraged to discuss with their children the need to immediately find a safe place to get help with adults or the Police if something like this should ever happens to them.
Overall, we are incredibly thankful to reiterate that this child was able to escape and is safe. Please, again, if you have information to add we ask that you contact the Republic Police Department at (417) 732-3910.
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