UPDATE: Carlesha was found safe in Maryland. More details soon...
According to CBS Philadelphia, a 22 year old woman, Carlesha Freeland-Gaither, was abducted on Sunday night in the Germantown section of Philadelphia. In a video released by Philadelphia police, a man can be seen driving down Coulter street and parking his car. Seconds later he is seen quickly approaching the victim, Gaither, dragging her down the street toward his parked car.
According to CBS Philadelphia, a 22 year old woman, Carlesha Freeland-Gaither, was abducted on Sunday night in the Germantown section of Philadelphia. In a video released by Philadelphia police, a man can be seen driving down Coulter street and parking his car. Seconds later he is seen quickly approaching the victim, Gaither, dragging her down the street toward his parked car.
Gaither is seen screaming for help, to no aval. Although not seen in the footage, the man then forces the distressed young woman into his car. Gaither's glasses and cell phone were dropped on the street during the attack. In an attempt to escape, Freeland kicked and broke the back vehicle window.
At a press conference on Tuesday, Carlesha's mother, Keisha Gaither, pleaded for her daughter's return:
"Carlesha, I love you. I know you are on your way home. Just fight. Just fight. Come on," Gaither said. "All you got to do is just get out. I got you. Just come home. Just come home."
At around 6:00 a.m. on Monday a man who police believe to be Gaither's abductor used her bank card at a Maryland ATM. In addition to the Philadelphia police, the FBI are assisting in the investigation.
In a second video, a man authorities are calling a person of interest in the case, is seen wearing a black hooded jacket and black pants inside a Shell gas station convenience store in Maryland. Police sources could not confirm whether the man is the same person captured on surveillance video using Carlesha's debit card at a Maryland ATM.
While prayers for a happy ending to this story go out to the family, the fact that the "person of interest" purchased only one water seems to suggest he is alone.
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| "Person of interest" in the abduction of Carlesha Freeland-Gaither |
On Tuesday Gaither's grandmother, Ana Mulero, told the Associated press she believed the abductor could be a male who was obsessed with Gaither while she lived with her in Maryland a few years ago. After the photos below were released today by authorities, Mulero says she does not recognize the man police believe to be the person of interest.
The FBI said it's offering a $25,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of a suspect. Local officials previously pledged $17,000 in rewards.
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