A 16-year-old girl was kidnapped off a Bronx street, thrown into a car by a group of men in front of her mother.
The moment was partially captured on surveillance video.
Update: Karol has been found safe.
Police say Karol Sanchez walked up to her relative’s Bronx apartment building. She met with police and is now on the way to the local precinct.
Further details of her safe return are unknown at this time, and more information will be posted as it becomes available.
Original story below via NYDN:
Karol Sanchez and her 36-year-old mom were walking when a beige four-door sedan pulled up at Eagle Ave. and E. 156th St. in Melrose about 11:20 p.m. Monday.
Four men who appeared to be in their 20s were inside, police said. Two got out, snatching Sanchez and shoving her mother to the ground.
“I heard screeching of tires,” said witness Damon Doughty. “I went to the window and when I got there there were three people in a car and the guy in the backseat was kicking the mom out of the back seat. Then they grabbed the daughter back into the car because it looked like she tried to get away. Then the car sped off. She (the victim’s mother) ran and she was screaming. She was just screaming and yelling.”
The mother was not hurt but was hysterical after the car sped off.
“It was frightening. She was screaming on the sidewalk and I couldn’t understand what she was screaming about,” said Mildred Watson, 70.
“I am frightened and worried. They tell us to walk in couples but being in couples doesn’t help nowadays, not even being in groups. I’m getting my gun license back. It’s time to leave New York. “
It was not clear if the suspects know Karol. She has no arrest record. Cops issued an amber alert for the missing girl at 10 a.m. Tuesday.
Karol’s mom recently made plans to move back to her native Honduras with Karol, who doesn’t want to go, sources said. Cops were investigating if that conflict could somehow have anything to do with the bizarre kidnapping.
Karol is about 5-foot-5 and 140 pounds. with short black hair and brown eyes. She was wearing a dark blue short jacket, white sweater, blue jeans and black sneakers.
Cops released surveillance video of the unidentified suspects, all wearing dark clothing. and asked the public’s help finding them and the victim.
Watch the video below.
