Cops: Reward in case of teen traveling with sex offender
SMYTH COUNTY, Va. --The U.S. Marshals Service is offering a $5,000 reward for information in the search for a missing Tennessee teen believed to be traveling with a sex offender, reports CBS affiliate WDBJ.
Shook has active warrants and failed to register as a sex offender in Georgia, according to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation. He's faced previous charges for child molestation.
Shook and Hayleigh were "positively identified" on surveillance video at the Marion, N.C. Wal-Mart in the early morning hours of June 23, according to the TBI. They were captured later that day on surveillance video at a gas station in Sugar Grove in southwest Virginia, according to the TBI, and received a ride from unsuspecting citizens to the nearby Raccoon Branch campground.
The TBI says they were spotted twice on Wednesday in Sugar Grove. Hayleigh's father's truck was discovered near Troutdale, just south of Sugar Grove, the night of June 25 -- apparently abandoned the day before, report WDBJ.
The TBI says it's believed Shook and Hayleigh may still be in Smyth County, Virginia. They may be traveling on foot, according to WDBJ.
Federal, state and local law enforcement are combing Virginia's Jefferson National Forest along the Appalachian trail for the two. On Friday, search teams discovered camping equipment in Smyth County they apparently used, and the search through the dense forest and trails was continuing Monday, reports WDBJ.
Smyth County Sheriff's Office Lt. Bill Eller said investigators received numerous tips Sunday and units are following up on each tip, reports the station.
Shook was wearing a blue shirt with "Ford" written on it, dark shorts and a camouflage baseball hat. He has multiple tattoos.
Hayleigh was wearing a flowery shirt. She is five feet, five inches tall, 150 pounds with black hair and hazel eyes.
If you have any information on Hayleigh Wilson or Ben Shook, contact the Surgionsville Police Department at 423-272-7121 or TBI at 1-800-TBI-FIND.