OUTAGAMIE COUNTY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — Law enforcement in Outagamie County says rumors about attempted kidnappings are circulating on social media, but officials insist they have not received any credible reports.
In a Facebook post, the Outagamie County Sheriff’s Office said Wednesday they are aware of social media posts “indicating female drivers have been approached by subjects in pickup trucks who then threaten the women with a gun.”
However, the Sheriff’s Office said it has not been contacted by any victims or received any credible reports of the alleged kidnapping incidents. “We do not believe these incidents are credible, given the lack of any reporting,” the post reads.
The Hortonville Police Department echoed similar sentiments in a news release, saying they were made aware of an incident Wednesday that had been circulating on social media as an attempted kidnapping.
Officers say they spoke with the individual about the incident and “the details that have circulated [on] social media do not reflect the information provided to law enforcement.”
After investigation, it was determined that several individuals in a tan Ford Explorer rolled the window down and said “hey” to a female walking with two kids on Main St. The individuals in the Ford Explorer made no attempts to force her or the children into the vehicle and displayed no weapons.
Police say they do not believe the information circulating on social media is credible, adding that no other incidents have been reported.
Both the Outagamie County Sheriff’s Office and the Hortonville Police Department said they will increase patrols as a precaution and urged the public to contact law enforcement immediately if any suspicious vehicles or activity is witnessed.
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