Updated: Car-Trunk Kidnapping at Forest Lake Walmart?

Update: 3:23 p.m., Monday, June 8

It turns out the incident was a prank.

From the Forest Lake Police Department:

On July 8, 2013 at 2:00 pm the Forest Lake Police Department received a call from a mother of one of the juveniles involved in the Wal-Mart incident. The mother stated that the children had performed a prank while out in front of the Wal-Mart store on the evening of July 7th. Our office interviewed those involved, found video evidence on their phones, and we have determined the suspicious situation to be nothing more than an attempt at a prank.

The Forest Lake Police Department takes the safety of the citizens as its highest priority, and took every step to ensure we had done all that we could to close this case with a successful ending. Many hours were put into the investigation of this case and charges or referrals may be requested on those involved. 

We would like to thank the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, The MN Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, Wal-Mart stores, and members of the media for their assistance and cooperation.

Original post

Gripping store video from the Forest Lake Walmart Sunday evening seems to show female kidnap victim escape from a car trunk then get chased down by a male captor and forced back into the trunk. (Click on the green-arrow thumbnail to see video.)

Now Forest Lake police are asking the public for any information about the incident: 

On Sunday, July 7th 2013, at 8:30 p.m. the Forest Lake Police Department was called to the Wal-Mart store at 200 12th Street S.W. on a report of a possible kidnapping. Officers arrived and were told by the witness that they observed a dark colored vehicle park in front of the store, the trunk opened, and a female got out and ran to the south along the front of the store. The witness stated the front seat passenger got out and chased the female, caught up to her, and put her back in the trunk. The vehicle left at a high rate of speed and could not be caught by the witness. This statement was confirmed by video in the parking lot.

The Forest Lake Police Department is asking for the public’s help in identifying the vehicle and occupants of the situation. We are looking for a 2005 to 2012 dark colored Kia or similar vehicle displaying a rear out of state plate.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Forest Lake Tip Line at 651-209-9911.