Authorities say the victim in a LaSalle County abduction case was found safe in Peoria, but the suspect is still at large.
Peru Police Chief Doug Bernabei said the victim, a woman in her 20s, was found safe on Tuesday.
"To have a resolution, to have the victim safe and sound in such a short order, I think the credit goes to many agencies," Bernabei said. The Federal Bureau of Investigation and law enforcement agencies throughout the Illinois Valley and Peoria areas were involved in the investigation.
The FBI's Chicago office originally reported a girl between 14 to 16 years old was forced into a large white SUV near the corner of Plum and 7th in Peru, Ill. in the early hours of Monday morning.
But Bernabei said at a Tuesday press conference that the victim was a woman in her 20s who had an existing relationship with the suspect, 27-year-old Bobby Cross of Peoria.
A witness said the woman screamed for help. He said there was evidence of a violent scene in the area, including a sandal authorities photographed to circulate on social media, along with surveillance photos of Cross' vehicle.
Bernabei said Cross is wanted on an unrelated LaSalle County warrant. He may also face gun charges after police found two firearms in his vehicle in Peoria, including one equipped with a silencer.
Bernabei said it's too soon to tell if Cross could face kidnapping or abduction charges.
"We're going to find him, no matter what it takes. We're going to find Mr. Cross, and he's going to get delivered to the LaSalle County Jail. And then we'll continue our investigation," Bernabei said.
