UPDATE: Austin Kidnapping Case Turn Out To Be Mere 'Disturbance'

AUSTIN, TX — Police on Friday said reports of a possible kidnapping earlier in the week turned out to be nothing more than a "disturbance" among people who know each other.

The Austin Police Department responded to the 1700 block of Rutland Drive on Wednesday at around 4:15 p.m. amid reports that a woman was possibly kidnapped by multiple men. A witness told police the woman was seemingly forced into a car.

A significant police response was sparked by the reports, including a helicopter aiding in the search for the vehicle from the air. The vehicle was later found abandoned, and police said it had previously been reported stolen.

By Friday, the incident was significantly underplayed: "The incident that was initially thought to be a potential kidnapping (case #19-1631257) now appears to have been a disturbance among individuals who know each other," police wrote in a press advisory. "We are continuing to review evidence to confirm this and encourage anyone with information to call APD Missing Persons at 512-974-5250."

From June 13:

AUSTIN, TX — Police are investigating a possible kidnapping incident that occurred Wednesday afternoon in North Austin.

The Austin Police Department said the incident occurred at around 4:15 p.m. on June 12 at the 1747 Rutland Drive at the intersection with Mountain Quail Road. A witness reported seeing multiple Hispanic men forcing a Hispanic female into a truck, and residents soon saw police helicopters circling the area in search of suspects.

Police earlier sought the public's help in locating the truck used during the incident, described as a 2007 dark blue Toyota Tacoma with Texas license plate number KLG8587. The vehicle has a quad cab and black bed cover with a left rear wheel rim that does not match the others, police said.

But in an update just before 9 p.m. on Thursday, police said the empty vehicle was recovered abandoned along the 8600 block of North Lamar Boulevard.

According to police, the truck was reported stolen on June 11 from 8545 N. Lamar Blvd. Images of the vehicle were released in the hopes someone might alert police as to its whereabouts:

Images courtesy of Austin Police Department.

Police released scant information on a suspect, describing him only as a Hispanic man in his 20s. The description of the victim also is sketchy, as police merely described her as a young Hispanic female with long dark hair. She was last seen wearing a white T-shirt and black pants with white stripes down the legs and white shoes.

In an earlier update, police said the case is being classified as a kidnapping but could be categorized differently when more details were known.

As part of their investigation, police are reviewing video secured from the area. Police said they have no plans to issue the video publicly for the time being, but may update with more information and camera footage as the case develops.

In the meantime, police ask anyone with information about the incident to call 911 or the APD Cold Case unit at 512-974-5250.