Memphis police are searching for 25-year-old Deonta White after a series of frantic calls to friends in which he said he had been kidnapped and was locked in the trunk of a vehicle. Callers told authorities that unknown people were demanding $500 for his release and that White reported having an asthma attack during one of the calls. Police said White was last seen on Friday around 10:45 p.m. in the 900 to 2000 block of Union Avenue.
City Watch alert, and caller reports
A City Watch alert went out early Saturday after two people said they received calls from White, and Memphis police said they are investigating a possible kidnapping, as reported by WREG. According to the alert, White told callers he was being held in the trunk of a vehicle and that his captors were demanding $500. Officials have not yet confirmed whether a suspect or suspect vehicle has been identified, and investigators are treating the situation as an active, unfolding case.
How to contact the police
Police asked anyone with information about White's whereabouts to call Memphis police at 901-545-2677, the department's non-emergency line, or to dial 911 in an emergency, per the Memphis Police Department. Tips may also be submitted anonymously to CrimeStoppers at 901-528-CASH, which accepts phone, text, and secure webmail submissions, according to CrimeStoppers of Memphis and Shelby County. Authorities urged witnesses not to approach potential suspects and to contact police immediately instead.
Description and last known location
Officials described White as roughly 5 feet 8 inches tall and about 165 pounds, and said he was 25 years old, according to WREG. The City Watch alert included a vehicle description and a photo credited to the Memphis Police Department, though investigators have not released a named suspect. Detectives say they are canvassing the Union Avenue corridor and reviewing video and witness tips as they work to track down any lead that might point to White's location.
Why this matters
MPD's City Watch system is a computerized outbound messaging tool used to alert media and the public about at-risk missing people and can be activated for endangered adults as well as children, according to Memphis Police Department policy. The policy also notes that CrimeStoppers handles tips during City Watch activations. For now, investigators say the case remains active while detectives follow leads and continue to seek public assistance.
