Police Release New Video In Germantown Abduction Case
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Philadelphia Police have released new video they say shows a person of interest in the abduction of a woman in the city's Germantown neighborhood.
The video, released Tuesday night, was taken from a gas station in Aberdeen, Maryland.
WATCH: Surveillance Video
"We just want Carlesha returned to us safely. We love her, we all love her," said the victim's grandmother, Ana Mulero.
During a news conference Tuesday afternoon, Philadelphia police confirmed that the ATM card of 22-year-old Carlesha Freeland-Gaither was used at a bank in Aberdeen, Maryland at about 6 a.m. Monday.
"Just release her," said the victim's father, Carl Freeland. "I'm not asking for anything else."
Investigators said an unknown male was caught on surveillance video using Freeland-Gaither's ATM card at a stand-alone bank.
Tuesday night, police released surveillance images from the ATM where her card was used.
___
Authorities say Freeland-Gaither was last seen around 10:00 p.m. Sunday in the 100 block of West Coulter Street in Germantown.
In surveillance video released by Philadelphia Police, the suspect is shown getting out of his car and stalking Freeland-Gaither.
The suspect then grabbed Freeland-Gaither and attempted to drag her into his car. Freeland-Gaither put up a fight, but the suspect was eventually able to force her into his car.
Freeland-Gaither, according to police, kicked out the driver side rear window as the car drove off. Her cell phone and glasses were found at the scene.
"It was sickening and that's the only thing you can say. It looks like that he even knew that she was coming around that corner because he parked his car and then went back for her," aunt Latesha Tucker-Felder said.
WATCH: Surveillance Video
An eyewitness, who doesn't want to show his face, called 911. He had been walking the opposite side of the street when he heard her scream.
"'Help me, help me,' and I turned around and I just started running up," he said. "I called the cops as I'm like 'yo screaming stop, stop, stop.' He's dragging her to the car."
He says her abductor had a large knife.
Police say the car was last seen traveling west on Coulter Street towards Knox Street.
"She's a fighter. I'm not giving up and she's not giving up. She's coming home. She's coming home," said the victim's mother, Keisha Gaither.
Freeland-Gaither is described as a black female, 5'3" tall, 125 pounds with brown eyes. Police say she has braided hair and has a tattoo on her lower back, and was last seen wearing a light blue jean jacket, a gray and white sweater, carrying a black backpack.
A total reward of $47,000 is now being offered in the case. A $10,000 reward is being offered by the city of Philadelphia, a $5,000 reward from the Fraternal Order of Police, a $5,000 reward from the Philadelphia Federal Credit Union, a $2,000 reward from the Citizen Crime Commission and the FBI is offering a $25,000 reward for an arrest and conviction in the case.
The suspect is described by police as a black male, 5'10", medium-heavy build, 25-30 years-of-age, medium brown complexion, wearing a dark colored jacket with a dark colored hood possibly a hooded sweatshirt underneath, dark colored hat, and dark colored pants.
The vehicle is described by police as a 2000-2002 dark gray metallic four-door Ford Taurus with an unknown PA license, an unknown plate on the front bumper, rear spoiler, and both driver and passenger side rear windows broken out. Police say the vehicle is missing inspection stickers and has an unknown item in the center bottom of the front windshield.
Anyone with any information is urged to call Philadelphia Police at 215-686-TIPS (8477) or text a tip to PPD TIP or 773847 or visit phillypolice.com.
You may also be interested in these news stories:
