( Joseph Andrew Bragg / image: Sherburne County Sheriff’s Office )
A man is in custody in neighboring Sherburne County on charges of abduction of a girl in Zimmerman Wednesday afternoon.
The Sherburne County Sheriff’s Office released information Thursday that 28-year-old Joseph Bragg, no known permanent address, was arrested after what an AMBER Alert said was an abduction of a 7-year old female around 4 PM Wednesday. Authorities say the alleged abduction took place when the girl got off her school bus that was bringing her home. Officials say the Sherburne County Sheriff’s dispatch received a call reporting the girl missing around 6:30 PM.
The community notification was issued at 9:47 PM, with a description of a black passenger car that had been following the girl’s bus, but investigators eventually ruled out any involvement of a black vehicle. An AMBER Alert was issued at 11:40 PM after information had developed that she had likely been abducted.
After thorough investigation and use of technology, authorities identified a white Dodge Ram pickup as a suspect vehicle and issued an emergency alert shortly after 12:30 AM Thursday.
Just after 1 AM, officials in Freeborn County notified the Sherburne County Sheriff’s Office that they had located the suspect vehicle, the missing girl was safe, and the suspect had been arrested. No information has been released regarding a motive, or connection between the man and the youngster.
In a statement, the Sherburne County Sheriff’s Office thanked the numerous law enforcement and first responders and hundreds of volunteers who assisted in the search.
