Brawley Police Department investigate alleged child abduction
YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) - On Thursday, September 15, 2022, the Brawley Police Department (BPD) received two calls.
Accordingly, through a press release, the calls were in regards to a subject, allegedly attempting to lure children.
Furthermore, the reported incidents occurred in the afternoon hours near the 600 block of S. Brawley Ave.
Equally important, the subject, described as a heavy set, Hispanic male, driving a white SUV, asked children to enter his vehicle to "smell the AC."
However, due to the seriousness of the case, the Brawley PD Detective Unit took over.
Brawley PD Detective Unit's investigation
On Monday, September 19, 2022, Detectives located surveillance video, detailing the incident in question.
What they found was the following:
"The vehicle pulled into the parking lot and parked. A male subject exited the driver’s side and opened the hood of the vehicle. A juvenile exited the passenger side of the vehicle and walked into the store.
The male subject entered his vehicle and began to reverse through the parking lot. Two juveniles then walked in front of the vehicle and the vehicle stopped. The male subject opened his door and can be seen communicating with the juveniles.
The juveniles then walk away from the vehicle and the male subject continues to reverse his vehicle. Another group of juveniles walked past the vehicle and the male subject could be seen speaking with one of them. After a brief conversation, the juvenile walked away.
The male subject pulled forward and parked in a parking spot. The male subject exited the vehicle and approached two adult males at a gas pump. One of the adult males walked back with the male subject and leaned in the vehicle through the passenger door. The juvenile then returned to the vehicle and the adult male returned to the gas pump. Both the male subject and juvenile got into the vehicle and drove away."
Follow up investigation
Through a follow-up investigation, Detectives had identify the vehicle and male subject in question.
Correspondingly, the Detectives interviewed the subject, who was cooperative with the investigation.
Then, the subject stated his son, who was a passenger in the vehicle informed him the inside of the car smelled like burning rubber.
He further told Detectives he was unable to smell anything, so he asked a couple kids and an adult to see if they could smell anything.
Surprisingly, these statements correspond with the initial reports and video footage.
Results
As a result, the BPD determined the case as not an abduction attempt. Rather, a misunderstanding.
Fortunately, the kids were not in danger during the incident.
However, the BPD reminds everyone to have regular conversation with their kids about being aware of their surroundings. not speaking to strangers, and never enter a vehicle with someone they don't know.
