Woman abducted from downstate Peru found safe, suspect sought

Police are searching for a man wanted in connection with the abduction of a young woman who was found safely Tuesday in Peoria.

The woman, initially believed to be between 14 and 16 years old, was taken just after 5 a.m. Monday near the intersection of Plum and 7th Street in downstate Peru, according to the FBI.

About 36 hours later, the woman, in her 20s, was found in Peoria, Peru police announced Tuesday.

Bobby A. Cross, 27, is wanted in connection with the abduction, police said. He has an outstanding warrant for a failure to appear on a battery charge in LaSalle County, according to police.

Police believe this was a domestic-related incident and said Cross and the victim had a previous dating relationship.

FBI

Witnesses reported seeing two men force the woman into a vehicle and heard screaming Monday morning.

Early Tuesday, the FBI released images of the vehicle used in the abduction, described as a white pick-up truck with a “topper,” possibly a Ford Excursion.

Authorities also released images of a pink tie-dyed sandal found in the area of the incident.

Cross is from the Peoria area and currently “in flight,” according to police.

The investigating remains ongoing but there is no threat to the community at this time, police said.