MANTEO — Help is needed to identify the perpetrator of an alleged kidnapping May 12 within Cape Hatteras National Seashore at the Coquina Beach Access, across N.C. 12 from Bodie Island Light Station.
Cape Hatteras National Seashore law enforcement rangers, special agents with the National Park Service’s Investigative Services Branch, and Dare County Sheriff’s Office are asking the public to come forward with any information regarding the ongoing investigation.
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The National Park Service provided the following details on the case:
- An adult female seashore visitor reports being kidnapped from the Coquina Beach Access restrooms by an adult white male around 6:45 p.m. Wednesday, May 12. The restrooms are across N.C. 12 from the Bodie Island Light Station.
- The female alleges that she was physically forced by the male to drive her vehicle, a silver 2017 Ford Escape, until reaching the Little Kinnakeet Beach Access parking lot, across N.C. 12 from the Little Kinnakeet Life-Saving Station.
- Once at the Little Kinnakeet Beach Access parking lot, the female reports that she escaped west from the ocean-side beach and fled on foot south along N.C. 12 until she was picked up by a passing motorist.
- Seashore law enforcement rangers responded and began investigating jointly with the Dare County Sheriff’s Office at around 8:45 p.m.
- The female did not require transport to the hospital.
- The alleged kidnapper was described as 6 feet tall with light colored hair, scruffy chin hair and possibly a thin mustache. He most likely fled the scene by foot along N.C. 12 or the beach the evening of May 12.
Anyone with information that could help identify the individual responsible for committing this alleged crime are asked to contact the Investigative Services Branch by calling or texting its tip line at 888-653-0009, submitting an anonymous tip at www.nps.gov/isb or by emailing nps_isb@nps.gov. Anonymous tips may also be submitted to the Dare County Community CrimeLine at www.darecommunitycrimeline.org/tips.
