Atlanta 'Kidnapping' Wasn't Real, Police Say

ATLANTA, GA — Atlanta police said on Friday that earlier reports of a possible kidnapping at a shopping center in southeast Atlanta weren’t true. Investigators determined that the van was a transportation vehicle for disabled people and the female was being assisted to the van. The female is safe and was not harmed.

“We appreciate everyone's assistance in this case and are pleased to learn the female was not a victim of a crime. We are appreciative of the witness calling us and advising us of what she witnessed. We encourage the public to call and report suspicious behavior and we fully understand some incidents will turn out not be criminal. Had this been a kidnapping, that early information would have been critical in our investigation.”

On Thursday around 8 a.m. officers were called to 1320 Moreland. The caller said she saw an older model charcoal gray 4 door Infiniti sedan parked in the parking lot near a white work van. She told police that a woman was sitting on the passenger side of the car when two men exited the van, removed her from the Infiniti and forced her into the van through the side door. The witness said she was observing from a distance and it appeared that the woman was struggling with the men. After she was inside the van, both men drove in separate vehicles.