Providence Police investigate possible abduction

By: Samantha Lavien
Slavien@abc6.com
Twitter: @SLavienABC6

Providence Police are investigating a possible abduction after they say witnesses saw three men drag a young woman into a van in the Federal Hill area Tuesday afternoon.

“From witnesses it appeared that there was a female running and chased by two individuals into a backyard, dragged out to the street, joined by another individual and she was put into a van,” said Major David Lapatin.

The incident was caught on surveillance video. Witnesses report she was yelling for help as those men put her into the van.

“It did appear on the video that she was pulled and shoved to the ground,” said Lapatin.

Police say the woman appeared to be in her late teens or early 20’s. The woman has not been identified.

“We have some ideas. I’m not saying that it’s a missing female but we do have some leads that we’re working on,” said Lapatin.

Those who live nearby say they’ve seen an added police presence over the last few days.

“I’ve heard a lot of sirens I’ve seen a lot of police cars,” said Bryan Benedict.

Lapatin says while they are treating this case as an abduction, they’re not sure yet what exactly happened.

“We just don’t want to take any chances,” said Lapatin.

Police say they will release the surveillance video to the public on Friday.

Anyone with information is asked to call police.

© WLNE-TV 2015