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Kansas Teen's Abduction Caught On Tape

Police Seek Person Of Interest

POSTED: 10:23 am PDT June 5, 2007

Police in Overland Park, Kan., are viewing a surveillance video showing a missing teenage girl being forced into her car at a Target store.

The surveillance video showed a white man in his 20s at the Target store. Police said they believe he may have information in the case. Anyone who can identify him or who has information in Smith's case is asked to call the TIPS Hotline at 816-474-TIPS.

Police said Kelsey Smith left the store Saturday evening and had put packages into her car at the busy shopping center when someone ran toward her.

Police also said enhanced security video from the Target parking lot showed someone force Smith into her car.

"We were able to see clearly a person running behind Kelsey as she was getting in the car," Capt. Thomas Fredrickson said.

"Kelsey wouldn't just take off. To confirm (the abduction) makes me all more upset," said Stevie Hockersmith, the victim's sister. "This person will be found. She will come home to us. We're going to find her."

Smith's car was later found across the street in front of Macy's. Her purse and keys were inside the car, but her ATM card and cell phone were missing.

Officials said Smith's ATM card and cell phone have not been used since the kidnapping.

Smith, a recent high school graduate, had been shopping for a gift at Target near Oak Park Mall.

Authorities said they have received several tips and are confident police will soon identify a person of interest. Investigators have said they don't know if Smith was picked at random or abducted by someone she knew.

About two hours after Smith disappeared, her grandparents found her car in a parking lot at a nearby mall with her purse and packages still inside.

Family and friends spent Monday searching for Smith and going door to door passing out fliers.

"We couldn't believe how many people came out here to help us. I just want to thank everybody who took time to help us find our daughter. God bless you all and we love you," Greg Smith said.

"She's just a great person, full of life. Never hurt anyone -- the sweetest girl you'll meet," Hockersmith said. "I just hope they give her back."

Smith is 5 feet 6 inches tall and 120 pounds with long brown hair and brown eyes. Police said Smith was last seen wearing a pink tank top and black shorts.

Smith's car is a gray, 1987 Buick Regal. Police ask anyone who saw the car on Saturday night at about 7:10 to call the TIPS Hotline at 816-474-TIPS.

A $10,000 reward is being offered for information that leads police to Smith. On Tuesday, Smith's picture was placed on a billboard near the Target store.

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