COLBY – On July 16th, 2024, the Thomas County Sheriff’s Office and the Colby Police Department both received reports of an attempted abduction of two juvenile females playing together in Colby, Kansas.
Information gathered from the reporting parties indicate that on the evening of July 14th, between the hours of 4 PM and 6 PM, a while male driving a black and red SUV, possibly an early 2000’s model Suburban, approached the two young girls in the area of 800 South Garfield and 500 West Ash. The vehicle was described as having a Kansas License plate with unknown digits. The perpetrator was described as a while male with blue eyes and no visible facial hair approximately 30 years of age. The male was described as wearing a black hoodie with the hood up and blue or dark blue jeans and a partial face covering.
According to reports and evidence gathered, the male attempted to lure the young girls into his vehicle to take them for “ice cream.” As the juveniles ran away, the suspect followed them East bound in his vehicle for approximately two blocks towards a park located in the 700 block of South Mission Ridge. Witnesses alleged that the suspect watched where the juveniles went and then quickly left the area headed North on Mission Ridge. It is believed the male entered the area in his vehicle off Pine Street through an alley and potentially utilized alleys to exit the residential area. The investigation is currently ongoing. Thomas County will be increasing the presence of law enforcement personnel in residential areas and areas frequented by younger kids in our community.
The Thomas County Sheriff’s Office is urging parents and guardians to have discussions with their children about the dangers of speaking with strangers and child’s need to be vigilant. They say you should take the time to speak to your children about what to do in these situations with risks posed by a “friendly” stranger and not go with anyone they do not know. If you see anything suspicious in your community or if your child reports anything our of the ordinary, you can contact the Colby Police Department at 785-460-4460 or the Thomas County Sheriff’s Office at 785-460-4570.
