At approximately 1720 on 12 March 2019 Moab City a Moab City police officer responded to the Grand County High School on a report of an attempted abduction of two 12 year old males. Upon arrival the officer contacted the two boys and their parents. Both boys were visibly distraught but were able to provide the officer with statements describing the incident.

The boys were walking on a road that leads from the middle school toward the high school on a road when a white or gray van approached them. A “tall and white” man wearing black gloves exited the van and attempted to lure them into the van by offering to let them play video games. The students declined the offer and another man, described only as wearing white gloves, exited the van. The men each grabbed one boy by the wrist and attempted to pull them into the van. The boys fought the men off and then ran to the high school, where they met with one of the parents and explained what had happened.

Officers saturated the area and searched for the van but were unable to locate it. We have increased police presence at all area schools and continue to search for the van. The van was further described by the boys as being a “minivan or transit-style van” with Idaho license plates bearing damage to the front right headlight and quarter panel, and driven by a female.

An investigation into the incident is on-going.