November 4, 2023
Cass County, Iowa - This is not a press release from the Iowa Department of Public Safety. It is being distributed on behalf of the Cass County Sheriff's Office as a result of the Division of Criminal Investigation's participation in this investigation.
On 11-4-23 at approx. 5:10 PM the Cass County Sheriff’s Office received a report of an adult male that had been kidnapped. The caller was a flagged down on the roadside by the victim just south of Interstate 80 exit 51 (Marne exit). The victim stated that he had been kidnapped in Lincoln Nebraska and was being forced to drive to Chicago by a man with a gun. The suspect is described as black, well trimmed hair, short stubble beard, 5’10 approx. 160 lbs late 20’s – 30’s, black t-shirt and blue jeans. The suspect had the victim exit at the 51 exit of interstate 80 where he then pulled a gun on another vehicle driving by and entered the second vehicle at gun point. That vehicle was described as a Silver Chevy 2 door pickup operated by an older white male subject with a beard. The vehicle then went eastbound on interstate 80.
The Cass County Sheriff’s Office is requesting public assistance if a family member from the surrounding area has not returned home. At this point the identity of the subject in the Chevy pickup is unknown. Cass County Sheriff’s Office is currently working with multiple law enforcement agencies in the investigation.
ABOUT THE IOWA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY
The Iowa Department of Public Safety (DPS) is the largest law enforcement agency in the state. It includes six divisions and several bureaus, all working together with local, state and federal government agencies and the private sector, to keep Iowa a safe place by following our core values: leadership, integrity, professionalism, courtesy, service and protection. Divisions within the Iowa DPS: Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement, Iowa State Patrol, Iowa State Fire Marshal Division, Iowa Division of Intelligence and Fusion Center, and Administrative Services Division. The Department of Public Safety is led by the Commissioner who is appointed by the Governor.
Iowa Department of Public Safety
215 E 7th St
Des Moines IA 50319
https://dps.iowa.gov