And as to the reason why he didn't grab Jacob the first time they came by was because he had not planned on this and had to run home to grab a mask and a gun (assuming it happened this way).
I'm sorry I'm not buying that theory - that the perp ran home to get a gun and a mask (which he just
happened to have lying around in such a place that they were easily accessible? How long might it have taken him even at a RUN to get back to the house (assuming it might have been DR), get his things, get his mask on and get back to the scene of the abduction? Too long I think for this idea that he went home first before abducting to be plausible in my view. I've read the mask was a nylon hose over his head (easily stored in a back or even front pocket).
But if the perp was truly on foot -- then why be skulking about with a gun and a mask, unless he intended to grab a victim that night? And if grabbing a victim was his intention, they what was the draw to the location he chose to make his attack? It was a secluded area which was in his favor, as was the fact that it was dark out. In my view, the perp was local or well traveled in the area. He knew the location. Had to have if he was indeed on foot. In my view unless he was hired, or stalking the kids, he wouldn't have likely
known that Jacob and the boys would pass by him in the dark at 9:10pm on October 22. The renting of the movie was a decision made last minute, while the boy's parents were not home.
Theory -- is it possible then with this point in mind that perhaps someone else was involved? Maybe someone saw the boys come to the video store and knew who they were, and where they'd be heading back? Saw the bikes, not a car and realized they were alone? What if someone spotted them in the video store, and followed them back (perhaps on a bike of his own? - no car was heard by the victims leaving the scene).
In case you haven't read this topic from the beginning (I read it all starting yesterday)... someone had posted somewhere on WS that he/she was in the National Gaurd, and they were assisting in the search for Jacob. The poster noted they were given the details mostly as they appeared in the media, but were told by their superior that the perp asked the kids, "which one of you is Jacob". If
that is true - though I've not read any other accounts of this as a possibility from anywhere but WS, then it speaks to a targeted victim.
Many things point in that direction to me -- and lead me to believe either Jacob was targeted, or
any pre-teen was targeted.
- > The perp probably didn't know the kids would be leaving home that evening (at nearly 9:00pm) to get a video. But yet he was seemingly waiting in the bushes for the kids as they were returning home? So was he just lying in the bush wearing a mask, and carrying a gun for fun? If he wasn't waiting for
these kids -- then
just who was he waiting for?!
-> Aaron heard some rustling in the bushes that shouldn't have been there, which he couldn't identify as human or animal on
the way to the Tom THumb. It scared him, but he didn't tell his friends - he just rode faster. In that same spot on the way back is where they were attacked.
-> The perp apparently said in a gravely voice (as if he had a cold), which was very unique in sound, "stop, I have a gun". He had the boys ditch their two bikes, and the scooter Aaron was riding. They were to lay down. He asked each boy their age, starting with Trevor. Trevor was 10. Then he told Trevor to run into the forest and not look back or he'd shoot.
Next was Aaron - who was also 11 years old at the time (so why not Aaron?). The perp looked Aaron in the face (what was he looking for?). He studied Aaron's face, then told him to run into the forest and not look back or he would shoot. Aaron caught up to Trevor. When they looked back, Jake was being led by the elbow (I read this somewhere, i'm sorry no link to back this up, but I read it yesterday!).... into the forest.
->
by the elbow!?! I realize the perp said he had a gun (did the kids see a gun?) -- but why the elbow? The only sign of a potential struggle was the dug in footprint presumably of Jake's. How far away was that footprint. Why lead by elbow?
-> this was premeditated. The perp intended to get SOMEONE, but whether or not it was Jacob, or just
any victim is unclear to me.
O