Leavenworth Police Seek Help in Kidnapping Attempt

The Leavenworth Police Department has issued an urgent public appeal for assistance in an attempted kidnapping investigation involving a juvenile girl last week. The incident occurred last Wednesday, May 6, sometime between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. According to the police report detailed by KSHB 41 News, the girl was searching for her lost dogs in the area of S. Broadway Street and Kansas Street when she was approached.

Near 10th Avenue and Broadway, a man driving a light-colored, four-door truck offered her a ride. When she declined, the man reportedly became aggressive, grabbing her arm and attempting to pull her into the vehicle. The girl managed to escape. She described the suspect as a middle-aged white male with salt-and-pepper hair. No further details about the truck were available. This incident has heightened safety concerns for families in Leavenworth and across the Kansas City metro.

This alert in Leavenworth is the latest in a series of similar incidents across the region that have put communities on high alert. In mid-April, the Russell County Sheriff's Office requested public help after two juveniles reported being kidnapped by a person in a white panel van before they managed to escape. Law enforcement in that case also asked residents to review surveillance video for any clues.

These events underscore the critical role of community vigilance. A case in Wichita this past March demonstrates how public involvement can lead to successful outcomes. An 8-year-old girl broke free from a man who grabbed her, and following a 911 call, the Wichita Police Department located and arrested a suspect, who was later charged with aggravated kidnapping, as reported by KWCH. Leavenworth has also faced past scares, including a separate 2024 kidnapping and attempted sexual assault case reported by KCTV5, where police sought a different suspect, highlighting ongoing safety challenges in the area.

The investigation is active and ongoing. The Leavenworth Police Department is urging anyone who was in the area of 10th and Broadway last Wednesday afternoon, or who may have home or business surveillance video, to contact them. Even seemingly minor details could be crucial to identifying the suspect and the vehicle involved.

Residents across the Kansas City area are reminded to be vigilant. If you have any information regarding the Leavenworth case, call the police department at 913-682-4411. For those who wish to remain anonymous, tips can be submitted to the Greater Kansas City Crime Stoppers TIPS Hotline by calling 816-474-TIPS (8477) or through the P3Tips mobile app. A cash reward may be available for information leading to an arrest.