MOODY, Ala. — A suspect was taken into custody after a teenage girl was kidnapped at a gas station in Moody, according to a statement from Moody Police Department Chief Reece Smith.
Smith said police were alerted to a call about a 13-year-old girl who was kidnapped at the Circle K gas station on Tuesday at approximately 1 p.m.
“Upon arrival, Moody Police officers immediately began investigating the incident,” Smith said. “Using the Flock Camera System, along with CCTV footage obtained from surrounding businesses, officers were able to identify a suspect vehicle. The vehicle was subsequently located and stopped on Interstate 59 in the Bessemer area.”
Police were able to find and stop the vehicle in the Bessemer area where the victim was located unharmed. Smith said that the suspect’s name would not be released at this time.
The incident is now being jointly investigated by the FBI and personnel from the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency’s Internet Crimes Against Children.
“As this investigation continues, investigators are working diligently to bring this case to a close,” Smith said. “Additional information will be provided later as it becomes available and can be released in accordance with applicable law.”
Smith thanked the Bessemer Police Department, FBI North Alabama Violent Crimes Task Force, ALEA, Jefferson County Air Support Unit, St. Clair County Communications Division, and all other agencies and personnel who assisted in the successful location of the victim.
“After receiving a BOLO from the Moody Police Department regarding a reported child abduction and a suspect vehicle believed to be traveling westbound, our officers immediately positioned themselves along the interstate to watch for the vehicle,” Bessemer Police said in a statement on Wednesday.
BPD said vigilance, communication, and excellent police work were key in making the stop.
“Our officers spotted the suspect vehicle traveling westbound on I-20/59,” BPD officials said. “Officers were able to safely stop the vehicle near mile marker 103, take the driver into custody, and secure the juvenile without incident.”
During the investigation, BPD officers discovered elements of the crime that elevated their concerns.
“The investigation revealed circumstances that made the juvenile’s safe recovery even more critical,” BPD officials said. “What initially appeared to be a runaway situation involved an adult the juvenile had reportedly recently met through social media. Information obtained during the investigation also raised serious concerns regarding the adult and possible human-trafficking activity.”
Bessemer Police also commended the detective work of the Moody Police Department, whose investigative work utilizing Flock camera technology helped identify the suspect vehicle from an initially provided photograph.
“This incident demonstrates exactly why communication and cooperation among local, state, and federal law-enforcement agencies matter,” BPD said. “Because officers acted quickly and worked together, a 13-year-old child was safely recovered before this situation could potentially become much worse.”
