Woman kidnapped while jogging near University of Memphis, police said
A woman jogging early Friday was kidnapped near the University of Memphis, police said.
The woman, Eliza Fletcher, 34, was jogging around 4:20 a.m. when an "unknown individual" approached her and forced her into a dark-colored SUV in the area of Central Avenue and Zach H Curlin Street, Memphis police said in a statement.
Fletcher’s personal items were recovered but she has not been found. At the time of the kidnapping, she was wearing purple jogging shorts and a pink top.
Shortly after 4 p.m. Saturday, Memphis police announced that a "vehicle of interest" had been located and its driver detained for questioning.
"Eliza Fletcher has not been located," the department tweeted. "This is an ongoing investigation."
The FBI and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation were assisting with the search for the avid runner, kindergarten teacher, and mother of two.
At a news conference Saturday, police said security video evidence of a possible kidnapping raised the case's priority level as it was transformed from a missing person to an abduction.
On Saturday, family members, who call her Liza, released a statement read by Fletcher's uncle, Michael Keeney.
"Liza has touched the hearts of many people," he said, noting an outpouring of support and goodwill.
"The family has met with police, and we have shared with them all the information we know," Keeney said. "More than anything we want to see Liza returned home safely."
The family has put up a $50,000 reward for information leading to her safe return, according to NBC affiliate WMC.
This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
