Public help needed for identifying suspect in alleged kidnapping near Coquina Beach

Law enforcement rangers at Cape Hatteras National Seashore (Seashore), special agents with the National Park Service’s Investigative Services Branch (ISB) and the Dare County Sheriff’s Office, seek the public’s assistance on information regarding a recent investigation of an alleged kidnapping that occurred within the Seashore on Wednesday, May 12.

Case details:

• An adult female Seashore visitor reports being kidnapped from the Coquina Beach Access restrooms by an adult white male at approximately 6:45 p.m. on Wednesday, May 12. The restrooms are located across N.C. Highway 12 (NC 12) from the Bodie Island Light Station.
• The female alleges that she was physically forced by the male to drive her vehicle, a silver 2017 Ford Escape, until reaching the Little Kinnakeet Beach Access parking lot, located across NC 12 from the Little Kinnakeet Life-Saving Station.
• Once at the Little Kinnakeet Beach Access parking lot, the female reports that she escaped west from the ocean-side beach and fled on foot south along NC 12 until she was picked up by a passing motorist.
• Seashore law enforcement rangers responded and began investigating jointly with the Dare County Sheriff’s Office at approximately 8:45 p.m.
• The female did not require transport to the hospital.
• The alleged kidnapper was described as six feet tall with light-colored hair, scruffy chin hair, and possibly a thin mustache. He most likely fled the scene by foot along NC 12 or the beach the evening of May 12.

Anyone with information that may help to identify the individual responsible for committing this alleged crime is asked to contact the ISB by calling or texting the ISB Tip Line at 888-653-0009, submitting an anonymous tip at www.nps.gov/isb, or by emailing nps_isb@nps.gov. Anonymous tips may also be submitted to the Dare County Community CrimeLine at www.darecommunitycrimeline.org/tips.