A 13-year-old boy has been arrested in Vero Beach, Florida, after multiple incidents where he allegedly attempted to abduct women in the Pointe West country club community. The suspect, whose identity has been withheld due to his age, is accused of targeting adult women while wielding a knife in at least two instances.
According to the Indian River County Sheriff’s Office, authorities received four tips between June and July that led to the teen’s arrest. The boy is believed to have targeted women walking alone, approaching them with a knife and threatening them with abduction. In one incident, a victim stated that the suspect had told her to “come with him” while brandishing a weapon.
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Fortunately, none of the women were physically harmed during the incidents. The boy’s alleged motive remains under investigation, but authorities believe he was attempting to abduct the women to an unknown location.
The suspect has been charged with four felony counts of attempted kidnapping with a weapon. Due to the severity of the charges and the potential danger he poses, the teen is being held at the Department of Juvenile Justice.
“I am incredibly proud of our entire team who worked tirelessly to put our suspect behind bars. We are thankful for the community that came together and provided the critical information that helped make this case. It’s the community-law enforcement partnership that works, and this case is proof of that,” said Sheriff Eric Flowers.
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The Pointe West community has been shaken by the events, with residents expressing shock and concern over the safety of their neighborhood. The local homeowners association has pledged to work with law enforcement to increase security measures and provide support to the victims.
The Sheriff’s Office urges anyone with information about the incidents or the suspect to come forward and assist with the ongoing investigation.
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