COLUMBUS — An AMBER Alert was issued for a 12-year-old juvenile on Feb. 28 when she went missing from her Missouri City home on Feb. 23.
Police suspected the victim, whose name and picture are being withheld because she is a juvenile who is now safe and has since been returned home, was a trafficking victim. She may have gotten into a dark Dodge Ram.
The juvenile was found safe and unharmed in Columbus on March 1 at the TimeWise Convenience Store on State Highway 71. Based on a tip from the AMBER Alert, Columbus Police learned the suspected kidnapper, Sirter ryon Preston, 27, of Houston, may be in the Columbus area.
Preston was located and identified at the TimeWise Shell gas station in Columbus by Columbus Police. Preston was a regular delivery man to that particular store.
According to a witness statement obtained by KHOU-11, TimeWise employee Azial Gonzalez said, “He was making a delivery. He was coming out the door, going back to his truck, and I guess when he had seen all the police, he just headed off this way across the highway (Highway 71), and that’s when they chased him and caught him.”
Preston attempted to flee while a Columbus officer secured the safety of the female juvenile. The kidnapper was apprehended quickly due to the response of the Columbus PD and the Colorado County Sheriff's Office. DPS, Houston Police Department, Texas Parks and Wildlife, and the FBI backed up CPD.
“Parents, please be diligent in monitoring your children’s electronic devices and all social media accounts,” said Captain Wendy Alley. “Have conversations with your children about what is appropriate to say or share on social media.”
Police stated the girl may have been on a social media site, Tagged.
However, it is yet to be determined if that played a role in her being ultimately kidnapped.
Predators prey on unsuspecting and innocent children who frequent social media. They gain their trust and make them feel special.
Nationwide, over 460,000 juveniles go missing every year. Many are never heard from again.
January was Human Trafficking Prevention Month. See something, say something. It could save a life.
