William Alexander Benitez,[FOUND SAFE] 17, Missing Since 6/18/08, Madison, NC

[Faith]

Missing Child
Name: William Alexander Benitez
http://www.intrado.com/photos/download-image.do?personId=7025
Alias:
Hair Color: Black Eye Color: Brown
Skin Color: Hispanic Age: 17YO
Height: 5FT7 Weight: 162LBS
Gender: Male
Description: Wearing a blue striped shirt and jeans





Suspect
Name: Antonio Dejesus Granados
http://www.intrado.com/photos/download-image.do?personId=7026

Alias:
Hair Color: Brown Eye Color: Brown
Skin Color: Hispanic Age: 18YO
Height: 5FT6 Weight: 138LBS
Gender: Male
Description:





Vehicle Information
Make: Model:
Color: Red Interior Color:
License State: License Text:
Vehicle Description:

Missing From: Madison, NC
Missing Date:
Issued for: North Carolina: Statewide
Contact: If you have information, please contact Rockingham County Sheriff's Office, 336-634-3030 or 911
Circumstances: 2nd UPDATE: Abductor information added, new photo of child added, vehicle added UPDATE: Photo added RALEIGH 3:25 PM -- The Rockingham County Sheriff`s Office is searching for a missing child: William Alexander Benitez. William Alexander Benitez is a 17-year-old Hispanic male, approximately 5 feet 7 inches tall, weighing 162 pounds. He has black hair, and brown eyes. Benetiz was last seen wearing a blue-striped shirt and jeans. Benetiz was abducted by force. Allegedly, there is 1 abductor: Antonio Granado. Antonio Granado is described as 18 years old, Hispanic, male, 0 inches long, William Allen Benitez was abducted from 151 Stephanie Lane, Madison, NC, about 1 p.m. Victim and abductors were last seen traveling on US 220 S. in a Honda Accord. They are believed to be headed to Houston, Texas. If you have any information regarding this abduction, call the Rockingham County Sheriff`s Office immediately at (336) 634-3030, 336-634-7370 or call 911 or *HP.

[Faith]

Amber Alert Issued For Missing N.C. Teen
William Alexander Benitez Abducted By Force, Officials Say

POSTED: 4:39 pm EDT June 18, 2008
UPDATED: 5:09 pm EDT June 18, 2008

RALEIGH, N.C. -- Officials issued an Amber Alert on Wednesday for a teenager reported missing from Rockingham County.

Authorities were looking for 17-year-old William Alexander Benitez. They said he was abducted by force.

Benitez was described as Hispanic, 5 feet 7 inches tall and weighing 162 pounds. He has black hair and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing a blue-striped shirt and jeans.

Authorities said they believe Benitez was taken by 18-year-old Antonio Granado. There was no description of him released.


Authorities said Benitez was taken from 151 Stephanie Lane in Madison, N.C., around 1 p.m. Wednesday.

The victim and his suspected abductor were last seen traveling on U.S. 220 South in a Honda Accord, officials said.

Officials said they believe the two are headed for Houston, Texas.

Anyone with information on this case should call the Rockingham County Sheriff’s Office at 336-634-3030.
http://www.foxcarolina.com/news/16645968/detail.html

[Faith]

MADISON, N.C. -- An Amber Alert was issued Wednesday afternoon for a 17-year-old boy who deputies said was abducted by force.

Deputies said that William Alexander Benitez is believed to have been abducted by 18-year-old Antonio Granado.

Investigators said that Benitez was abducted from 151 Stephanie Lane in Madison, N.C. at about 1 p.m.

The initial vehicle (a Honda) was wrecked and found abandoned. Granado is believed to be driving a red vehicle, unknown make and model

They are believed to be headed to Houston, Texas. They were last spotted on Highway 220.

Benitez is described as about 5 feet 7 inches tall, weighing 162 pounds. He has black hair, and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing a blue-striped shirt and jeans.

Granado is described as 5 feet 6 inches tall, weighing 138 pounds. He has brown hair and brown eyes.

Anyone with information is asked to call 911, or on cell phone *HP, or the Rockingham County Sheriff`s Office at 336-634-3030

http://www.wyff4.com/news/16645789/detail.html

[Faith]

Madison, NC - Rockingham County deputies are looking for a 17 year old who they believe was kidnapped during a home invasion.

Deputies say someone broke into William Alaxander Benitez house on Stephanie Lane over night. The boy's uncle told police several Hispanic males forced their way into his home, stole some money and took off with Benitez. Deputies believe the abductor is Antonio Granado.

Deputies are looking for a black 1993 Honda Civic. Deputies sent out a "BOLO" or be on the look out for Benitez and the car.

A short time later, the Honda Civic was involved in a traffic accident within Guilford County. The suspects left the scene of the wreck on foot. Officers used K-9, but none of the suspects were located.

Others inside the residence were victims of minor assaults and witnessed the crime. However, language barriers have slowed the investigation and much work is yet to be done to investigate this case thoroughly.

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call Detective Dana Taylor at 336-634-3238. Information may be given to CRIMESTOPPERS as well at 349-9683.
http://www.digtriad.com/news/mostpopular/article.aspx?storyid=105655&provider=top

[Faith]

Praying for William :1222423:

[Faith]

http://www.digtriad.com/genthumb.ashx?e=3&h=180&w=250&i=/assetpool/images/080618025712_benitez.jpg

[Faith]

Amber Alert issued for 17-year-old taken at knifepoint

Posted: Today at 4:03 p.m.
Updated: Today at 6:43 p.m.

Raleigh, N.C. — State authorities have issued an Amber Alert for a 17-year-old from Rockingham County, who is believed to have been abducted at knifepoint.

William Alexander Benitez is Hispanic, approximately 5 feet 7 inches tall, and weighs about 162 pounds. He has black hair, brown eyes and was last seen wearing a blue-striped shirt and jeans.

Authorities are searching for Antonio Dejesus Granado, 18. Granado is described as Hispanic, with brown hair and eyes, 5 feet 6 inches tall and weighing 138 pounds.

Dean Venable, a spokesman for the Rockingham County Sheriff's Office spokesman said two carloads of people forced their way into Benitez's Madison home at about 1 a.m. Wednesday, taking a knife from the kitchen and some money and other belongings from the home. An Amber Alert issued earlier by the Department of Crime Control and Public Safety said the alleged abduction happened at about 1 p.m.

After threatening a few other people in the home with the knife, they took Benitez and fled in their vehicles, Venable said.

"We have no idea for a motive," he said. "We do not know where he's at. We do not know whether he's in harm's way, although we assume that he is given the nature of the way that he was taken."

The two were last seen in a black Honda Civic with Texas license plate DPX-090. The car was later found wrecked and abandoned in a parking lot in Guilford County, Venable said.

Authorities now believe the teen and his alleged abductor are traveling in either a light-colored Honda Accord or red vehicle, unknown make and model. Venable said they could be traveling with other people.

The two were last seen traveling on U.S. Highway 220 South and could be headed to Houston.

Anyone with information about the case should call 911, the state Highway Patrol at *HP or the Rockingham County Sheriff`s Office at 336-634-3030 or 336-634-7370.

The sheriffs office said they don't know of any relation or connection between Benitez and the suspects. He said one of the witnesses inside the home was a distant cousin to one of the suspects.
http://www.wral.com/news/local/story/3066110/

[Faith]

I was hoping William would have been found by this morning. I pray he is safe and found soon.

[animallady]

:1222423: My prayers for William

May he be found safe and unharmed.

[Faith]

http://www.ncwanted.com/ncwanted_home/story/3066110/

[Faith]

Amber Alert remains in effect for abducted teen
From Staff Reports
Friday, Jun. 20, 2008 7:15 am

MADISON — An Amber Alert remain active for a 17-year-old who was abducted from his home during a robbery Wednesday.

The Rockingham County Sheriff's Office provided no further information Thursday about the kidnapping of William Benitez. Benitez was taken from 151 Stephanie Lane just after 1 a.m. Wednesday after a group of people forced their way into the home.

The alert says Benitez stands 5 foot 7, weighs 162 pounds and has black hair and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing a blue-striped shirt and jeans. Antonio Dejesus Granado, 18, has been named as a suspect.

The sheriff's office said Wednesday that others inside the home witnessed the crime and were victims of minor assaults. The sheriff's office also said language barriers have impeded the investigation.

Anyone with information about this case can call Detective Dana Taylor at 634-3238 or Crime Stoppers at 349-9683.

http://www.news-record.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080620/NRSTAFF/345845024/-1/NEWS1608

[animallady]

I was so hoping that William would be safe at home by now.

:1222423: Prayers that young William be found safe and unharmed..

[Faith]

I keep checking the Amber Alert to make sure it's still active and it is. There are no updates.
http://www.missingkids.com/missingkids/servlet/AmberServlet

I hope the young man is safe and will be found soon.

[TigressPen]

My prayers go out to this family and that William will be home soon, safe. :1222423:

[Faith]

AMW Missing DATA FILE FOR

William Alexander Benitez

AMBER Alert: North Carolina

America's Most Wanted has received the following AMBER Alert from the National Center of Missing and Exploited Children:

Full Message

Incident Information
Missing Person Circumstance Text : The Rockingham County Sheriff`s Office is searching for a missing child: William Alexander Benitez. William Alexander Benitez is a 17-year-old Hispanic male, approximately 5 feet 7 inches tall, weighing 162 pounds. He has black hair, and brown eyes. Benetiz was last seen wearing a blue-striped shirt and jeans. Benetiz was abducted by force. Allegedly, there is 1 abductor: Antonio Granado. Antonio Granado is described as 18 years old, Hispanic, male, 0 inches long, William Allen Benitez was abducted from 151 Stephanie Lane, Madison, NC, about 1 p.m. Victim and abductors were last seen traveling on US 220 S. in a Honda Accord. They are believed to be headed to Houston, Texas. If you have any information regarding this abduction, call the Rockingham County Sheriff`s Office immediately at (336) 634-3030, 336-634-7370 or call 911 or *HP.
Missing Person Last Seen Date : 2008-06-18
Missing Person Last Seen Time : 13:00:00

Last Seen Address
Address : 151 Stephanie Lane
Address State Name : NC Address City Name : Madison

Point Of Contact
Contact Organization Name : Rockingham County Sheriff's Office

Phone Number
Number : 336-634-3030 or 911

Missing Child
Person Given Name : William
Person Middle Name : Alexander
Person Sur Name : Benitez
Gender : Male
Age : 17YO

Physical Description
Person Eye Color Code : Brown
Person Hair Color Code : Black
Person Skin Tone Code : Hispanic
Height : 5FT7
Weight : 162LBS
Description : Wearing a blue striped shirt and jeans


Suspect

Suspect Person
Person Given Name : Antonio
Person Middle Name : Dejesus
Person Sur Name : Granados
Gender : Male
Age : 18YO

Physical Description
Person Skin Tone Code : Hispanic

Suspect Vehicle
Vehicle Make Code : Honda
Vehicle Model Code : Accord


http://www.amw.com/missing_children/case.cfm?id=56635

[Faith]

Kidnapping leaves questions

By Published by The Editorial Board

Published: June 19, 2008

The abduction of a 17-year-old Madison boy, reportedly at knifepoint, leaves us with many questions and few answers.
Unfortunately, as investigators have said, language is a barrier – the boy’s family is Hispanic – and that is slowing the search. Even if local authorities had several translators, before it’s over this investigation will involve several law agencies and dozens of people. The work has just begun.
So far, however, law officers have issued an arrest warrant for Antonio Dejesus Granados, 18, of Houston. Granados is charged with kidnapping and burglary, Detective Dana Taylor said. Taylor said he was the only one identified from the incident and is a cousin.
An Amber Alert has been issued for the boy, William Alexander Benitez. Granados is about 5 feet, 6 inches, 138 pounds with brown hair and brown eyes. According to initial reports from the boys’ uncle, several people were involved in the break-in, robbery and kidnapping, including a woman.
We have little information about the case and the boy’s family, which leaves us with a string of “why” questions. Why was Benitez’s family targeted, and why was the boy taken? Why did several people enter the home, and how are the boy and his family related to them, if at all? Was the boy in the Honda, which reportedly was carrying the suspects when it wrecked in Guilford County? Are they headed for Houston, and why was Granados here?
What’s most troubling is the boy’s age, so, as sheriff’s spokesman Dean Venable indicated this week, finding him is paramount. We pray that he is found safe, and it’s our hope that some of our questions regarding this puzzling case can be answered.

http://www.godanriver.com/gdr/news/opinion/editorials/rockingham_editorials/article/kidnapping_leaves_questions/4504/

[animallady]

I do hope that we hear something about this case soon. I wonder if his abductors were headed for Mexico. Very concerned for this youngster.

[Nut44x4]

SAFEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!
NC teenager found in Texas children's home


Associated Press
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
MADISON, N.C. - Authorities say a teenager abducted from his Madison home at knifepoint last week has been found in Texas.

The North Carolina Department of Crime Control and Public Safety said Tuesday that 17-year-old William Alexander Benitez was found safe at a children's home in Texas.

The Rockingham County Sheriff's Office said last week that Benitez was taken from his home at knifepoint by a group of people packed into two vehicles. Authorities had said they thought the cars were heading to Texas, citing car registrations.

The sheriff's office did not know the motive for taking the teenager and named only one suspect, 18-year-old Antonio Dejesus Granado. Authorities did not return calls seeking comment Tuesday.

[Faith]

Thank you Nut!!! I was coming to post that. This will be interesting to see how this turns out.

[Faith]

Amber Alert Cancelled For Missing Rockingham County Teen

Wentworth, NC -- The search for a missing Rockingham County teenager is over. William Alexander Benitez was found at a children's home in Texas.

Benitez was reported missing on June 18. Authorities believed at the time he had been abducted by force from his home on Stephanie Lane in Madison.

Deputies had been searching for 18-year-old Antonio Dejesus Granado, a suspect in the apparent abduction.


http://www.digtriad.com/news/top/article.aspx?storyid=105999&catid=14

[animallady]

Thank goodness he's safe and unharmed! But how strange. I do hope there is an update with explanation soon.

:smile: So relieved that he's been found safe and sound.