Developing Story

Cody community plans candle light observance, suspect remains at large

Posted: Oct 10, 2012 5:22 PM by Angela Douglas - Q2 News
Updated: Oct 15, 2012 8:17 AM

CODY, WY - As law enforcement in Wyoming continue to search for a man suspected of abducting and sexually assaulting a young girl, before releasing her in Cody Monday afternoon, the community is banning together to show support for the victim and her family.

A candle light observance will be held Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. in the parking lot of the Recreation Center within the Park County Complex.

The service will be led by local church leaders.

"We're getting together tonight for a short time of prayer, scripture reading, song, and silent reflection as we consider the violent act against a child in our community, the blessing of her being found alive and also how we as a community can come together to support the family and also one another," said Kenny Lee, with the Cody Ministerial Association.

According to Cody Police Chief Perry Rockvam, the girl was abducted shortly before 4 p.m. Monday at the Park County Complex on Stampede Avenue in Cody. About 45 minutes later, a friend of the girl reported to authorities that the 11-year-old had gotten into a white vehicle with a man to help him find his dog and had not returned.

When officers arrived at the Park County Complex, the girl's friend told police that she, along with the victim and another girl, were standing outside the front of the Park County Complex when a man pulled up to the front sidewalk in a vehicle, exited the vehicle, approached the girls and stated that he was missing his black lab puppy and asked if they could help him find it.

The victim apparently told the man that she would help him and entered the front passenger side of the vehicle. She later told police that when she approached the vehicle, he revealed a pistol and told her to get in the front seat.

The man is described as a white male, 55 to 60-years-old, 185 to 200 pounds, with short strawberry blond or white hair. He has a neatly or newly trimmed beard or mustache. He was wearing a brown shirt, blue jeans and a tan baseball cap.

He was driving a white SUV, but it is unknown where he was from.

Anyone with any information about Monday's crime is asked to contact the Cody Police Department at (307) 527-8700 or a local law enforcement agency.