COLLIER COUNTY, Fla. (UPDATE) 4:23 p.m. -- Deputies have interviewed all witnesses and reviewed surveillance video and did not find any evidence of a clown or an attempt to grab a child. The case is now closed.
The Collier County Sheriff's Office said they will not be pressing charges against the person who reported the claim. They sent the following statement:
"We are not considering filing charges because there is a possibility that the reporter saw something that he believed to be what he reported," says the sheriff's office.
COLLIER COUNTY, Fla. -- An eyewitness claims to have seen a person dressed as a clown abducting a child, but investigators are yet to find any clues supporting the claim.
According to the Collier County Sheriff's Office, the eyewitness claims the incident happened around 8:30 a.m. Tuesday in front of Summit Place Apartments in Golden Gate.
Deputies say the eyewitness, a juvenile, claims that a 7-8 year old child was riding his bicycle when a man grabbed the boy and his bicycle and disappeared.
No children have been reported in the area, and no other witnesses have corroborating reports.
The man was described as tall and thin, wearing white face paint, and having orange or strawberry blonde hair. The man was wearing a black long sleeve shirt with white buttons and dark colored gloves.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Collier County Sheriff's Office at 239-252-9300, or to remain anonymous and be eligible for a reward, call Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers at 1-800-780-TIPS (8477).
