On Tuesday evening, at approximately 7:15 p.m., patrol officers responded to the 500 block of Gender Road for a reported kidnapping. Nola’s mother advised that she had pulled over after Nola became upset and was attempting to comfort her when an unknown white male armed with a handgun approached the vehicle and took Nola. The suspect then fled in a dark-colored SUV driven by a white female.
An Amber Alert was issued for 3-year-old Nola, and the New Castle County Division of Police Criminal Investigations Unit, along with the FBI, began an intensive investigation that continued through the night.
As a result of that investigation, detectives determined the initial account of the incident given by the mother was false according to police. The Amber alert is now canceled, and there is no danger to the public. This incident is now being treated as a homicide investigation by the Maryland State Police.
County detectives are continuing to work closely with the FBI and Maryland State Police. Additional information will be released as it becomes available.
Original article
Newark, DE — Authorities are actively searching for 3-year-old Nola Dinkins following her abduction at gunpoint Tuesday evening in a heavily wooded area of Newark, Delaware. The New Castle County Division of Police has issued an AMBER Alert and is asking the public for assistance in locating the child and the suspects involved.
7:14 p.m. — Kidnapping Reported:
New Castle County Police responded to the 500 block of Gender Road in Newark after receiving a report of a possible child abduction. According to investigators, Nola’s mother had pulled over in the wooded area along the roadside to speak to her upset daughter. While the mother was talking to NOLA on the side of the road, they were approached by an armed white male who abducted the child at gunpoint. The suspect fled with Nola in a dark-colored SUV, possibly a Ford or Chevrolet, described as an older model with visible rust or dirt on the exterior. The vehicle was driven by an unidentified white female.
7:43 p.m. — BOLO Issued:
At 7:43 p.m., law enforcement agencies throughout the region began receiving a BOLO (Be On the Look Out) alert regarding the armed kidnapping. The bulletin included the suspect and vehicle descriptions. The male suspect was identified as a bald white male in his mid-40s, wearing a black hoodie and gray basketball shorts. The female driver was described as white, in her 30s, with blonde hair. No vehicle registration was available.
Just after 10:00 p.m. — AMBER Alert Issued:
Authorities officially issued a statewide AMBER Alert for Nola Dinkins just after 10:00 p.m. The alert included detailed descriptions of the victim and suspects, urging the public to report any sightings immediately.
Nola Dinkins is a Black female, approximately 3 feet tall and weighing around 25 pounds. She has black hair styled in a bun and brown eyes. She was last seen wearing a white t-shirt, black leggings, and white shoes.
Police emphasized that there is no known relationship between the suspects and the victim at this time. The wooded area in which the abduction occurred may complicate witness accounts and recovery efforts, heightening the urgency of public assistance.
Anyone who sees Nola Dinkins, the suspect vehicle, or the individuals described is urged to call 911 immediately.
As of Wednesday, at 9:30 am there have been no updates from police.
The information above comes directly from police. When they update us, we will update you.
