FBI assisting MPD with search for abductor
The FBI and the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office are assisting MPD in the search for a man who may be tied to a string of abductions in three South Memphis communities. (Patrick Lantrip/The Daily Memphian file)
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The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office are assisting the Memphis Police Department in the search for a man who may be tied to a string of abductions in three South Memphis communities.
MPD has conducted investigations in Gaslight, Bunker Hill and Cane Creek for weeks, determining in the “early morning hours,” a man has been approaching “young females” and forcing them into his vehicle, according to a media release posted on the police department’s social media accounts.
On multiple occasions, the victims reported they were sexually assaulted by the man.
In its statement, MPD said the suspect was a Black male in his early 20s in a dark-colored SUV. The department did not release more specific details.
Map of the South Memphis neighborhoods of Gaslight, Bunker Hill and Cane Creek where MPD is searching for a man who may be tied to a string of abductions. (Courtesy Memphis Police Department)
The Daily Memphian reached out to MPD requesting more specifics that could help the public in providing tips and other information, including:
- Any additional suspect identification information beyond the description of a Black male in his early 20s.
- Any additional information on the make and model of his vehicle beyond the description of a dark-colored SUV.
- Any additional information to define “early morning hours,” including whether or not it was still dark when these attacks occurred.
- Any additional information on the number of incidents that have been tied to the man.
- Any additional information on why the MPD thinks the incidents are connected.
- Any additional information on the age group of the victims beyond “young female.” In its statement, the police department said it was also working with Memphis-Shelby County Schools to provide additional patrols in their communities. But it did not specify if children, adolescents or teenagers were being targeted specifically.
MSCS sent a release Wednesday afternoon saying additional officers will be stationed at Hamilton High School and Hamilton K-8, two district schools in South Memphis, over concerns about the alleged abductor.
MSCS noted it had previously sent two alerts out about “similar events” that have occurred.
On April 14, the district sent a letter to families and staff saying the day before, a student was abducted while walking to school but was later released. The letter gave the same details of the abductor as MPD.
It also referred to another incident in March where someone was driving around the Hamilton schools, attempting to pick up students. It said at the time that it didn’t know if the incidents were connected.
Anyone with information about this man is encouraged to provide anonymous tips to 528-CASH.
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Memphis Police Department Federal Bureau of InvestigationJulia Baker
Julia Baker covers Memphis and Shelby County’s law enforcement agencies and is a member of The Daily Memphian’s public safety reporting team. A lifelong Memphian, Julia graduated from the University of Memphis in 2021. Other publications and organizations she has written for include Chalkbeat, Memphis Flyer, Memphis Parent magazine and Memphis magazine.
Aarron Fleming
Aarron Fleming covers Memphis and Shelby County’s court system and is a member of The Daily Memphian’s public safety reporting team. He formerly covered education and earned his B.A. in journalism from the University of Memphis.