Info on other attempted abductions with mention of white van:
Three attempted child abductions within the last year, all in close proximity to Evansdale, Iowa. Two involving children on bicycles. COULD (note keyword "could" in CAPS) one of these cases be related to missing cousins Elizabeth Collins and Lyric Cook? Though the first case appears not to be connected to the other two, the suspect in either case could POSSIBLY (note keyword "possibly" in CAPS) be connected to the disappearance of Elizabeth and Lyric.
Child Abduction Attempt 1:
Distance from Evansdale, Iowa: 116 miles
Rochester Minnesota Police are investigating an attempted abduction of a 10-year-old girl, (suspect sketch included).
Police received a call Saturday, August 13, 2011 around 4 p.m. The girl's father says a man tried to abduct his daughter around 2 p.m.
The girl says she was playing outside on the 3400 block of 22nd ave. NW with some other children. John Harbin, the girl's father, says his daughter was at a friend's house. He says she was riding her bike, when a stranger tried snatching her.
The ten-year-old, Sarah, was fixing her bike when she says the man grabbed her and said, 'Shut your mouth, you're coming with me.'
The little girl kicked and screamed, and the man finally let her go and ran off.
"I've always told her if anybody ever tries to snatch you or catch you just you know keep on yelling you know make a lot of noise, you know, kick fight, just try to get away and run to an adult you trust or a police officer," Harbin said.
Police say the child did exactly the right thing.
"It was very important the girl made a lot of noise. If she hadn't who knows what would have happened. It seems to be that the screaming and the noise is what made this person let go of her and run off," Lt. Casey Moilanen, Rochester Police Dept., said.
The suspect is described as a white male, in his 30's, of average height and build. He has blonde hair that's greying at the temples. Witnesses say he was driving a white van.
Officers did search the area but did not find the man. The case is still under investigation. On Tuesday, officers met with the victim and developed this composite of a possible suspect. If you have any information you're asked to call the Rochester Police Dept. at 507-328-6800 or the Safe City Tip Line at 507-328-6888.
Sources:
http://kaaltv.com/article/stories/s2247841.shtml and
http://www.kimt.com/content/localne...Abduction-Suspect/byySCY5e1kmGw3kNksVGtA.cspx
Child Abduction Attempts 2 and 3:
Distance from Evansdale, Iowa: 119 miles
Another possible attempted child abduction has taken place in Forest City, Iowa, according to a school alert notice from the Forest City Community School District, (No suspect sketch available, not sure WHY, but someone definitely needs to contact the Forest City, Iowa Police Department and tell them this should be top priority).
The notice states Police Chief Dan Davis has shared information with school officials about an incident on Thursday. This is potentially the second such incident to happen within the past few months, according to the notice.
Around 2:45 p.m. on Thursday, May 31, 2012, the driver of a tan panel/work style van stopped three children on bicycles in the 700 block of North Eighth Street and told them he was going to get them.
The children ran away from the driver and saw him turn west onto O Street.
The driver is described as an Asian in his 50s or 60s, short with a medium-size build and a thin face. He had a male passenger with him.
Davis could not be reached for comment.
On March 14, 2012, the police department investigated a possible attempt to abduct a 10-year-old boy.
The boy, who was in front of his home, said he was approached by an Asian male, approximately 50 years old and with a thin face. The suspect was driving an older gray van, possible bearing Iowa license plates.
The man reportedly tried to lure the boy into his van after asking directions to a church.
The boy gave him directions to the church but the man said he did not understand him and asked the boy to get into his van and show him where the church was.
The boy's mother then came out of the house and volunteered to show the man where the church was.
She drove to the church in her vehicle with the suspect following. When she came to the church, the man driving the van did not stop and drove away.
The Winnebago Sheriffs Office asks anyone who has seen this van or this person to call them at (641) 585-2828.
Source:
http://globegazette.com/news/local/...cle_2fe73432-ac2a-11e1-beb7-0019bb2963f4.html and
http://www.northiowatoday.com/?p=12457
Sketch of possible suspect:
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?f...91039.212865135400495&type=1&relevant_count=1
