PUEBLO, Colo. — Pueblo police have arrested a man in connection to a false kidnapping report that triggered an AMBER Alert Wednesday, the department said Thursday morning.
This case started around 5:14 p.m. Wednesday, when Pueblo police were dispatched to the Sunset Bowling Alley at 1227 S. Prairie Avenue on a report of kidnapping and motor vehicle theft.
The reporting party, Daniel Reyes, 34, said his cousin Sandra, who was 13, had been in his white F-250 when somebody stole the car.
"The investigation quickly escalated and involved multiple jurisdictions and agencies," the Pueblo Police Department said.
An extensive search ended with the discovery of the car, which was found along the 1100 block of Cypress Street and was empty.
Around 9 p.m., the Colorado Bureau of Investigation issued an AMBER Alert for the girl.
About four hours into the investigation and search, detectives obtained unidentified information and learned that the reportedly kidnapped child had no relation to Reyes, and that she was safe at home.
Reyes was questioned by police and was arrested on a charge of attempting to influence a public servant, which is a Class 4 felony. He was transported to the Pueblo County Detention Center.
He is awaiting an advisement at 2:30 p.m. Thursday.
“While working an armed, barricaded suspect incident on the north side of town, the men and women in dispatch and of our department, other responding agencies, and community members displayed the highest degree of teamwork, tenacity, and dedication to locate the reported kidnapping victim,” shared Police Chief Chris Noeller. “False reporting wastes countless hours of manpower and resources, not only in our community, but also in the surrounding areas limiting law enforcement’s ability to respond to additional needs. Our department is thankful the juvenile was safe in this incident.”
This is a developing story and will be updated as we learn more.
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