(6 p.m. update) Virginia Tech Police have made an arrest in connection to an attempted abduction which occurred near Henderson Lawn earlier this morning.

Arlex Armando Cardenas Flores, age 33, a resident of South Carolina, was arrested and charged with one count of abduction. He is currently being held without bond. His next hearing is July 9.

After an early morning Virginia Tech new release with the suspect’s description and vehicle description was broadcast on local television, a Blacksburg resident noticed a vehicle matching that description in town and alerted police. Virginia Tech Police, in conjunction with Blacksburg Police, located the car and obtained a search warrant. The search of the vehicle revealed additional information that led to the identification of the suspect, who was employed by a contractor working at one of the university’s construction sites.

“This is another great case of community and police cooperation,” said Virginia Tech Deputy Police Chief Kevin L. Foust. “Virginia Tech Police is extremely grateful for the assistance provided by the local media in getting the word out, and the continued vigilance of the citizens of this community.”

Virginia Tech Police continue to remind all community members of the following:

  • Be aware of your surroundings and trust your instincts.
  • Call Virginia Tech Police Department immediately to report all suspicious people and circumstances.
  • Be cautious in confronting suspicious persons.

If you have any additional information about this case, please contact the Virginia Tech Police Department immediately at 540-382-4343.

Crime Alert: Attempted abduction near Henderson Lawn / Alumni Mall

BLACKSBURG, Va., June 29, 2012 -- (4:45 a.m.) The following information was reported to the Virginia Tech Police Department early this morning by the victim of an attempted abduction.

Early this morning (Friday, June 29, 2012), at approximately 2:15 a.m., a female was walking from College Avenue, across Henderson Lawn, toward Alumni Mall. She was approached by two males who grabbed her and attempted to drag her toward a pickup truck on Alumni Mall. She was able to escape from them and ran away from the scene toward College Avenue.

The victim and witnesses described the suspects as Hispanic males, medium height and medium build, 25-35 years old, with brown hair. One was wearing blue jeans and a white T-shirt.

The suspects left the scene in a dark colored, regular cab pickup truck, and turned south onto Main Street. Witnesses were able to obtain a partial license tag from an unknown state, with the last four digits of 3330.

Virginia Tech Police would like to remind all community members of the following:

  • Be aware of your surroundings and trust your instincts.
  • Call Virginia Tech Police Department immediately to report all suspicious people and circumstances.
  • Be cautious in confronting suspicious persons

If you have any information about this incident please contact the Virginia Tech Police Department immediately at 540-382-4343.

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