Tunica County, Mississippi is currently in the thralls of unease following the report of a potential kidnapping attempt. The Tunica County Sheriff's Office (TCSO) received an unsettling call late Wednesday afternoon, indicating that two individuals attempted to lure a minor into a white van by presenting enticements as simple as candy and as emotionally compelling as puppies.
According to Action News 5, the event took place near a home in the Dundee area of Tunica County. The call came in around 6:18 p.m. on August 7, and sheriff deputies quickly responded to the scene. Notably, the child had the wherewithal to quickly alert the adults present, thwarting what might have otherwise gone to become a tragic narrative.
The van in question is described as an older model, possibly a Chevrolet, with distinct decals consisting of black stripes adorning its sides, and it was last observed heading north on Old Highway 61. Witnesses also noted the vans' windows were tinted, as detailed in a report by FOX13 Memphis.
The suspects, still at large, are said to have been wearing masks to hide their identities, an additional layer of concern in a community striving to consistently keep guard. The TCSO is seeking any information that could lead to arrest these potential predators, and encourages anyone with information to heed the call and promptly come forward, placing a priority to this as they try to ensure the safety and security of their youngest citizens. "They then attempted to entice the child into the van, saying they had candy and puppies inside" TCSO stressed in a statement obtained by Local Memphis.
The Tunica Sheriff’s Office is actively investigating the incident and is reachable at 662-363-1411 for any individual with tips or information that could be crucial in preventing such incidences from reoccurring and to possibly bring the suspects to justice.
