Bell graduate kidnapped at gunpoint

By Carrie A. Mizell

Alachua County authorities are searching for a man who kidnapped a 2011 Bell High School graduate outside Santa Fe College on Thursday, Jan. 12.
The 18-year-old female, whose name has not been released, was not hurt in the incident, despite being forced into the suspect’s truck at gun- point.
The suspect, who is thought to be in his late 20s or early 30s, stands between 5 feet 8 inches and 5 feet 11 inches tall and has a dark complexion. The victim told investigators that she was forced into a small, dark colored pickup truck between 4 p.m. and 5 p.m. in the college’s North Parking Lot, near Building O.
The suspect reportedly drove around for several hours with a gun pointed at the victim before she was able to escape when the vehicle slowed down on Northwest 39th Avenue. The victim ran screaming from the vehicle alerting neighborhood residents, who subsequently called 911 just before 8 p.m.
An investigation began earlier in the evening when the victim’s parents called the Santa Fe College Police Department at 6:40 p.m. to report the student overdue for dinner. The victim’s parents had talked with their daughter several hours before and were able to tell police department officials where their daughter parked. Once police located the victim’s vehicle they saw signs of struggle and called in the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office.
Anyone with information on the kidnapping is asked to call the Sheriff’s Office at (352) 955-1818. Callers may also remain anonymous by calling Crime Stoppers at (352) 372-7867.