Virginia Amber Alert: Mom's ex-boyfriend in custody after missing teen Isabel Hicks found safe

Authorities in Virginia found a missing teenager and the man suspected of abducting her Wednesday night after a sharp-eyed bystander spotted them in Caroline County, officials said.

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Authorities arrested Bruce William Lynch Jr., 33, after a brief chase Wednesday and later reunited Isabel Shae Hicks, 14, with her family in Louisa County, investigators said.

Here are the latest updates:

Update 2:55 p.m. EDT Oct. 31: Authorities praised a passer-by who called authorities Wednesday after spotting Isabel Shae Hicks, 14, and Bruce William Lynch Jr., 33, in Caroline County.

"It was an observant set of eyes from the community that made that one call that we needed to bring Isabel home safely to her family," Neil Mathison, the special agent-in-charge of the FBI's Richmond field office said Thursday.

Maj. Donnie Lowe, of the Louisa County Sheriff's Office, said Isabel was back home with her family Thursday after the ordeal.

"She's tired and overwhelmed by everything," her family said in a statement shared by Lowe. "We truly appreciate everything that has been done to reunite her family in the hardest times of our lives."

Authorities on Wednesday night arrested Lynch on one count of abduction. He remained jailed Thursday at the Central Virginia Regional Jail, officials said.

Update 3:20 a.m. EDT Oct. 31: According to WVEC-TV, Isabel Shae Hicks, 14, of Bumpass, has been located and is safe, Virginia State Police announced Wednesday.

Authorities found Hicks and her mother's ex-boyfriend, Bruce William Lynch Jr., 33, in Caroline County following a chase, WHSV-TV reported.

Lynch was taken into police custody, authorities said.

Update 2:25 p.m. EDT Oct. 29: A news conference that had been scheduled to take place Tuesday afternoon as the search continues for Isabel Shae Hicks, 14, and Bruce William Lynch Jr., 33, has been postponed, according to WWBT.

It was not immediately clear when the news conference would take place.

Update 1:10 p.m. EDT Oct. 29: Authorities are expected to hold a news conference Tuesday afternoon to update the public on the search for Isabel Shae Hicks, 14, and Bruce William Lynch Jr., 33, WWBT reported.

Original report: More than a week after her disappearance, authorities in Virginia are still searching for a missing teen and the man suspected of abducting her.

An Amber Alert for endangered missing 14 year old Isabel Shae Hicks was activated and a felony abduction warrant was...

Posted by Louisa County Sheriff's Office on Friday, October 25, 2019

According to WRIC-TV, Isabel Shae Hicks, 14, of Bumpass, vanished sometime after 1 a.m. Oct. 21 from her Crewsville Road home, the Louisa County Sheriff's Office said. Detectives said her mother's ex-boyfriend, Bruce William Lynch Jr., 33, possibly abducted the girl, the TV station reported.

Late Monday, authorities told WRIC that someone reported seeing Hicks and Lynch in Hanover County near Clazemont Road. Crews will continue to search the area Tuesday for the pair, officials said.

In an Amber Alert issued Friday, investigators described Hicks as white with straight, long blonde hair and blue eyes. She stands 4 feet, 11 inches tall, weighs about 120 pounds and "has a birthmark on the inside of her right leg." Hicks also has pierced ears, the alert said.

Lynch "is believed to be armed" and may be suicidal, according to the Amber Alert. He is white with brown hair and eyes, stands about 5 feet, 10 inches tall and weighs 195 pounds, authorities said.

Investigators added that Lynch may be driving a blue or silver 2003 Toyota Matrix with Virginia tag VEM9071, UXW3614 or 249-9UT. The pair may be camping, the alert said.

If you see Lynch or Hicks, call the FBI at 804-261-1044 or visit tips.fbi.gov.

Here is the latest flyer for missing 14 year old Isabel Shae Hicks. Please be vigilant and report immediately if you...

Posted by Louisa County Sheriff's Office on Sunday, October 27, 2019
 

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