Juvenile arrested in attempted kidnapping

The 911 call on March 8, 2015 to the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office reporting an attempted child abduction at the city park in Sprague has led to the arrest on March 11 of a 15-year-old Sprague resident.

The suspect was reported to have begun a conversation with a 10-year-old boy and 8-year-old girl before grabbing a 22-month-old child from a stroller and fleeing on foot. Dispatchers informed Lincoln County Deputies and troopers of the Washington State Patrol. A search of the area ensued without locating the suspect.

Deputies began conducting interviews, obtaining video from various locations and collecting evidence from the crime scene and related locations.

Over 72 hours, deputies and detectives worked relentlessly on the case, reaching out to area law enforcement, citizens and media outlets to get information out to the public in an effort to identify a suspect. Surveillance video from various locations was distributed to experts who attempted to enhance the images.

Detectives ultimately focused on a suspect who resides in Sprague. Following collection of additional evidence, conducting of interviews, DNA collection and surveillance, a search warrant was executed at the suspect’s residence in the town of Sprague. A photo montage was also shown to one of the siblings who positively identified the suspect.

The suspect has been booked into a juvenile facility, and reports are being forwarded to the Lincoln County Prosecutor’s Office for official charging recommendations.

Because the arrested suspect is a juvenile, the Sheriff’s Office will not release any further information about him.