Post by dawn on Aug 8, 2010 2:29:13 GMT -5
CUMBERLAND — CUMBERLAND — An army of law enforcement officers combed South Cumberland and the surrounding area Saturday in a manhunt for the suspect in the alleged abduction and assault of a 6-year-old girl.
The suspect, Stephen Matthew Westfall, 44, of Arch Street, remained at large late Saturday. He was last seen at his residence early Saturday morning, and witnesses told police he left on foot.
Bureau of Police Chief Bobby Dick said authorities received numerous reports of sightings from the public.
“He’s a dangerous person and we want to be notified immediately if anybody knows where he is or has seen him,” Dick said.
Westfall is described as 6 feet 2 inches tall, weighing 190 pounds, with a thin build. He has medium-length, graying hair, and sometimes wears eyeglasses.
Dick said authorities have had no reports that Westfall is armed, but “always take that into consideration.”
“We don’t have any direct info that he is, but then again, he’s committed a violent crime,” Dick said.
The Cumberland Police Department, Allegany County Bureau of Police, Maryland State Police, C3I, MSP helicopter Trooper 5, West Virginia State Police, Mineral County Sheriff’s Department, Ridgeley Police Department, Maryland Department of Natural Resources Police, and the National Park Service took part in the manhunt. Canine units were brought in for the search.
A large part of the search effort concentrated along the Potomac River, in the vicinity of the Blue Bridge at Ridgeley, W.Va., and Wiley Ford, W.Va., bridge.
Cumberland Police Chief Charles Hinnant said authorities plan to remain in search mode around the clock until the suspect is found.
“As time goes on it becomes more difficult,” he said. “Certainly we’re not going to send people in the woods when it’s dark unless there’s been a sighting, but we’ll secure the perimeter.”
Westfall is a suspect in the alleged abduction and assault of a 6-year-old Columbia Street girl that occurred Thursday afternoon. Dick said the suspect enticed the victim into his vehicle, a black van with gray interior.
The girl reportedly disappeared from her residence at about 2 p.m. and was found a short time later when she showed up unattended at the front door of a residence on Pea Vine Run Road, located off Bedford Road.
She had been choked and struck in the head several times with a rock, and was taken to the Western Maryland Regional Medical Center for treatment and evaluation.
The victim was able to describe the suspect for police and also led investigators to the location where the assault occurred, via the route taken by the suspect, traveling north on Valley Road before turning right onto Pea Vine Run Road.
According to the victim, the suspect pulled over next to the dry creek bed and got the victim out of the vehicle. They walked down the embankment into the creek bed. After a few moments, and for no known reason, he began choking the girl, and then struck her in the head several times with a rock. The suspect then left the scene in the van and headed east toward Bedford Road.
After a few moments, the girl got up and began walking in the other direction, back toward Valley Road. She went to the first residence she saw to seek help, at which time the resident called the Allegany County Bureau of Police.
The victim told authorities that another child, a boy, was also in the van, riding in a child safety seat in the back. The boy told the victim he was 4 years old but did not tell her his name.
Dick said the boy is not a victim, and was not in any danger, but declined to comment further.
Anyone with information regarding this case is asked to call Cumberland Police at 301-777-1600, the Allegany County Bureau of Police at 301-777-1000, or C3I at 301-777-0326. Anonymous calls can be made to the Allegany/Mineral County Crime Solvers at 301-722-4300.
The suspect, Stephen Matthew Westfall, 44, of Arch Street, remained at large late Saturday. He was last seen at his residence early Saturday morning, and witnesses told police he left on foot.
Bureau of Police Chief Bobby Dick said authorities received numerous reports of sightings from the public.
“He’s a dangerous person and we want to be notified immediately if anybody knows where he is or has seen him,” Dick said.
Westfall is described as 6 feet 2 inches tall, weighing 190 pounds, with a thin build. He has medium-length, graying hair, and sometimes wears eyeglasses.
Dick said authorities have had no reports that Westfall is armed, but “always take that into consideration.”
“We don’t have any direct info that he is, but then again, he’s committed a violent crime,” Dick said.
The Cumberland Police Department, Allegany County Bureau of Police, Maryland State Police, C3I, MSP helicopter Trooper 5, West Virginia State Police, Mineral County Sheriff’s Department, Ridgeley Police Department, Maryland Department of Natural Resources Police, and the National Park Service took part in the manhunt. Canine units were brought in for the search.
A large part of the search effort concentrated along the Potomac River, in the vicinity of the Blue Bridge at Ridgeley, W.Va., and Wiley Ford, W.Va., bridge.
Cumberland Police Chief Charles Hinnant said authorities plan to remain in search mode around the clock until the suspect is found.
“As time goes on it becomes more difficult,” he said. “Certainly we’re not going to send people in the woods when it’s dark unless there’s been a sighting, but we’ll secure the perimeter.”
Westfall is a suspect in the alleged abduction and assault of a 6-year-old Columbia Street girl that occurred Thursday afternoon. Dick said the suspect enticed the victim into his vehicle, a black van with gray interior.
The girl reportedly disappeared from her residence at about 2 p.m. and was found a short time later when she showed up unattended at the front door of a residence on Pea Vine Run Road, located off Bedford Road.
She had been choked and struck in the head several times with a rock, and was taken to the Western Maryland Regional Medical Center for treatment and evaluation.
The victim was able to describe the suspect for police and also led investigators to the location where the assault occurred, via the route taken by the suspect, traveling north on Valley Road before turning right onto Pea Vine Run Road.
According to the victim, the suspect pulled over next to the dry creek bed and got the victim out of the vehicle. They walked down the embankment into the creek bed. After a few moments, and for no known reason, he began choking the girl, and then struck her in the head several times with a rock. The suspect then left the scene in the van and headed east toward Bedford Road.
After a few moments, the girl got up and began walking in the other direction, back toward Valley Road. She went to the first residence she saw to seek help, at which time the resident called the Allegany County Bureau of Police.
The victim told authorities that another child, a boy, was also in the van, riding in a child safety seat in the back. The boy told the victim he was 4 years old but did not tell her his name.
Dick said the boy is not a victim, and was not in any danger, but declined to comment further.
Anyone with information regarding this case is asked to call Cumberland Police at 301-777-1600, the Allegany County Bureau of Police at 301-777-1000, or C3I at 301-777-0326. Anonymous calls can be made to the Allegany/Mineral County Crime Solvers at 301-722-4300.
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