For Immediate Release

Thursday, Sept. 15, 2016

Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: john@jgpr.net

Townsend Police Find No Evidence to Support Child Abduction Report

TOWNSEND — Chief Robert M. Eaton Jr. reports that after a lengthy investigation into a report of child abduction earlier this week, the Townsend Police Department has found no evidence to support the claim.

On Sept. 13, at approximately 3:10 p.m., three teenage boys reported to Townsend Police that an older man allegedly jumped out from behind a large rock formation near the police station and startled them. The man allegedly attempted to grab one of the teens and then allegedly struck another on the back of his neck. The teens reported that the man then ran off into the wooded area near the outside perimeter parking lot of the Townsend Senior Center and Library. Townsend Police and the Lunenburg Police Department’s K-9 unit were not able to locate the suspect after an hour-long search.

Townsend Police continue to investigate the matter. However, after multiple interviews with the teens and their parents, following up with numerous leads and tips sent into the department, and reviewing video surveillance from the Senior Center and Library, Townsend Police have found no evidence to substantiate the abduction report.

“We do not believe there is any threat to the safety of our community or residents,” Chief Eaton said. “We have conducted a thorough investigation, and will continue to follow up on all leads, but at this time we have no evidence to corroborate the teenagers’ allegations.”

Anyone with information on this incident is asked to please contact the Townsend Police Department at 978-597-6214.

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