WEST JORDAN, Utah -- Police in West Jordan are looking for a young girl and an adult male suspect after a teenager reported she witnessed the man armed with a gun dragging the girl into an SUV by her hair Sunday evening.
West Jordan Police Department personnel at the scene tell FOX 13 News the incident occurred at 7794 South Redwood Road around 6 p.m. Sunday as the victim was walking along Redwood Road.
A 13-year-old girl who was walking on the same side of the street told police she saw a man pull up to the young girl, who is believed to be about 12 years old, in a red SUV described as being an older model.
"He got out of his vehicle, approached the female, he began to yell at her, and told her to get in the car," said Officer Michael Harvie of the West Jordan Police Department. "When she refused, he allegedly returned to the vehicle, grabbed the gun, and then he used force to place the female in his vehicle, which he then fled from the scene... The witness described the force as grabbing her by the hair and arm and placing her in the back of the SUV."
Police at the scene said they are taking the reports of the kidnapping very seriously and are investigating the incident. While the teen is the sole witness, police spoke with someone else who confirmed they heard a girl screaming in that area around the same time.
The victim is described as being about 12 years old with long, blonde hair. The girl was wearing a pink beanie, a gray jacket and blue shorts of mid-thigh length.
The suspect is described as a male believed to be in his 40s who is either Hispanic or white. The man was wearing a brightly colored shirt and shorts that were black or gray.
The vehicle is described as a red SUV of an older model that had silver or gray striping. The vehicle had damage to the left bumper, which had been repaired by black duct tape.
When asked whether or not the case appeared to be connected to any reports made regarding missing children, police said at this time there aren't any connected cases and they aren't certain who the alleged victim is. Police said the witness did not recognize the victim or the suspect.
FOX 13 News has reached out to authorities for more information, and we will update this story as more details become available. Tune in to FOX 13 News at Nine Sunday for the latest on this developing story.
Anyone who has information about the alleged kidnapping should contact authorities. Police dispatch can be reached at 801-840-4000.
