Posted: 3/13/07
Police continue to follow leads in reported abduction attempt
By Jane Palen
Managing Editor
The City of Caledonia was on edge Friday after a 10-year old boy reported that two men in a dark van tried to abduct him.
According to Caledonia Police Chief Randy Shefelbine, the boy said that he was walking to school and was at the corner of Main and North Marshall Street when two men in a van pulled up alongside him. The passenger called to the boy to come over to the van, but the boy ignored him. The child said that the passenger then got out of the van and grabbed him. He was able to break free and then ran, with the man chasing him on foot. The boy said he then hid, and observed the van circling the block looking for him. He remained hidden until the van left, and then ran home. His mother called 9-1-1. The boys backpack was later found in the city park.
There were no witnesses.
Law enforcement authorities notified all schools in the county. Local schools took extra security precautions following the report.
The boy told police that the man who chased him was a white male in his 20s, blond, approximately 5 ft. 6 in. and wearing a blue shirt and dark denim pants. He was also wearing a blue sapphire ring. The driver was a white male in his 30s, approximately 5 ft. 10 in. with light brown hair and a goatee.
The van was described as a newer model, dark in color, with a luggage rack. It had a loud exhaust and mud flaps.
Shefelbine emphasized that the local police departments and sheriffís office responded to the situation and worked together.
The police have followed up on several leads, all which turned out to be negative, said Shefelbine. Patrol in the area of the schools has been increased, and a list of registered sex offenders in the area is being compiled.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Caledonia Police Department at 507-725-3889, or the Houston County Sheriffís Office at 507-725-3379.
Caledonia Argus
314 West Lincoln St.
P.O. Box 227
Caledonia, MN 55921-0227
507/724-3475
E-Mail: editor.argus@ecm-inc.com