A teenage girl who was snatched from her mother’s side as they walked along a Bronx street late Monday was found safe on Tuesday, according to investigators.
“WE HAVE A VICTORY TODAY!! Karol has been found!!! Thank you to all who have worked very hard to track down the people involved in this case !” the NYPD’s 40th Precinct tweeted Tuesday, adding that she was located in the Bronx and was “safe and unharmed.”
Law enforcement had launched a citywide search after Karol Sanchez, 16, was kidnapped by a group of men as she walked with her mother on the 700 block of Eagle Avenue in the Melrose section of the Bronx around 11:20 p.m.
Surveillance footage showed the horrific moment when Sanchez was ambused by the suspects and forced into a vehicle as the teen’s frantic mother tried to fight off the assailants.
After the kidnapping, NYPD shared the video on Twitter in the hope that people would come forward with information about the kidnapping. They even offered up a reward of up to $2,500 for useful information related to the case.
Detectives didn’t say whether the kidnapping suspects were in custody, nor did they reveal a motive or how Sanchez was found. She was reportedly being interviewed by police.
WANTED for a KIDNAPPING in the vicinity of East 156 Street and Eagle Avenue #Southbronx #bronx @NYPD40pct on 12/16/19@ 11:20PM Reward up to $2500 Seen this car? Know who They are?☎️Call 1-800-577-TIPS or DM us! Calls are CONFIDENTIAL! #YourCityYourCall https://t.co/h26y6HDNN9
— NYPD Crime Stoppers (@NYPDTips) December 17, 2019
Two other men were believed to be inside the getaway car, which headed in the direction of East 156th Street.
Authorities said that Sanchez did not know her kidnappers.
Take a look have you seen Karol Sanchez she’s 16 years old and was kidnapped on December 16, 2019 in the Melrose section in the Bronx pic.twitter.com/qZhQlVKXLB
— NYPD Crime Stoppers (@NYPDTips) December 17, 2019
The suspects were described as four adult males in their 20s with dark complexations and all wearing dark clothing.
Sanchez’s kidnapping prompted an Amber Alert and drew significant attention throughout the city and beyond. Support poured in on social media after police announced that she was found safe and sound.
“Thank goodness! I’m so happy she’s been found!” said on Twitter user, @Mimiwilliams1. “Hopefully she will get therapy that she’ll need to deal with the mental stress from this ordeal.”
Anyone with information about this case can contact NYPD crime stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782) or send tips via Twitter or the Crime Stopper’s website.
