A Virginia teen was found safe Thursday after an Amber Alert was issued by state police.
Virginia State Police had activated the alert after it was reported that a Stafford County teen was forcibly taken from a convenience store store Wednesday night.
**Update: Selena Jah’nyrah Fernandez has been located safely**
If you have any information, please contact Stafford County Sheriff’s Office or call 911. https://t.co/B1gSp4LA2o— Spotsylvania Sheriff (@SpotsySheriff) September 17, 2020
Jah’nyrah Fernandez, 17, of Spotsylvania, had been last seen Wednesday night around 10 p.m. at 2142 Jefferson Davis Highway. The location is a small plaza with a Courthouse Valero and a convenience store.
Her alleged abductor, Rodney Richards, 19, also of Spotsylvania, a man police described as an acquaintance of hers, threatened to “shoot up” the business where the abduction occurred, the alert said.
The Stafford County Sheriff’s Office tweeted that Richards is in custody.
The Sheriff’s Office is happy to report that Selena Fernandez has been safely located. The suspect, Rodney Richards, Jr., is in custody. We would like to thank the public for their assistance.
— StaffordCoSheriff (@staffcosheriff) September 17, 2020
A witness saw Jah’nyrah Fernandez enter the convenience store visibly distraught. She asked to use the phone and the clerk provided her with one. While she was trying to call a relative for a ride, Richards allegedly entered the store, took the phone and forced Jah’nyrah Fernandez out of the store and into a vehicle.
Police have warrants for Richards for abduction, assault and battery, contributing to the delinquency of a minor and driving suspended.
The alert was officially canceled at 9:41 a.m.
Contact the Stafford County Sheriff’s Office at 540-658-4400 or visit vaamberalert.com for more information. Contact the Virginia State Police at 1-800-822-4453.
