Police are asking for the public’s help to locate a man they say stole a vehicle and kidnapped a small child over the weekend before abandoning both later that same night in Sullivan County.
On Tuesday, the Elizabethton Police Department issued a statement requesting assistance in locating Coby L. Wilson, 26, who is wanted on several outstanding charges including kidnapping and theft of a motor vehicle over $10,000.
Investigators with the Elizabethton Police Department obtained warrants for Wilson’s arrest in connection with the kidnapping incident, which happened Friday night.
Around 10:45 p.m. on Friday, officers responded to a home West G Street, Elizabethton, after a 911 caller reported someone had just stolen her vehicle with her small child inside it.
When officers arrived, the woman said she had parked her black 2007 Hummer at the residence and briefly went inside, leaving her 2-year-old daughter in the vehicle because the child was asleep. The woman said when she came back outside both the SUV and her child were gone.
“Officers began searching the area and notified surrounding jurisdictions to be on the lookout for the vehicle,” EPD Capt. Joy Shoun said. “Approximately 30 minutes later, officers were notified that deputies with the Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office had located the vehicle abandoned, near the Dollar General, 233 Highway 19E, Bluff City, with the child still inside. The child was determined to be unharmed and was returned to family members.”
Shoun said officers began processing the SUV for evidence and investigating the kidnapping and theft of the vehicle.
During the course of the investigation, Shoun said officers obtained information that led to Wilson being identified as the suspect.
According to court documents, video footage from an area convenience store showed the Hummer pull in near the gas pumps and the driver then exited the SUV and entered the store.
“The driver of the vehicle purchased a Red Bull drink, and the video camera at the cashier counter revealed the driver of the vehicle to be Coby Wilson,” EPD Det. Joe Harrah states in the affidavit of complaint against Wilson.
Wilson is also wanted on outstanding warrants from unrelated cases charging him with two counts of vehicle burglary, three counts of identity theft, and five counts of fraudulent use of a credit card. Wilson also has two outstanding warrants in Carter County charging him with failure ot appear in court.
Anyone with information about Wilson’s whereabouts is asked to contact the Elizabethton Police Department at 423-542-4141 or Crime Stoppers Tips Line at 423-542-7574.