Employee abducted at Walmart

UPDATED: Eau Claire Sheriff's office has found the suspect involved in the Walmart Mukwonago abduction. 

\"After an area search we have located the suspect and the area is secured and safe. Residents are being allowed to return,\" tweeted Eau Claire Sheriff twitter account.

A Walmart employee was abducted around 3:30 am at the 250 E. Wolf Run store in Mukwonago, Wis. 

The Police in Eau Claire told CBS 58 the suspect's name is Mitchell F. Owens. He was last seen in a black long sleeve shirt and hat. He is believed to be armed and dangerous.

It was reported to the Village of Mukwonago Police Department at 5 am. The employee was abducted in the parking lot and was later able to escape 230 miles away in Eau Claire.  

Police say the Walmart employee came out of the store for her break around 3 to 3:30 in morning, and that is when a man forced her in his car.

An employee had not heard from a friend since she had gone on her break. He later received some text messages and voice mails which led him to believe that his friend may be in distress. Wal-Mart management reviewed surveillance videos and observed what appeared to be an abduction. The Village of Mukwonago Police Department was then contacted and identified a suspect vehicle.

The department sent out a statewide request for an attempt to locate. The phone was tracked to Eau Claire. At approximately 9:45 AM, the Village of Mukwonago Police Department was notified that the victim had been able to escape from the suspect and was safe

Eau Claire Police and Sheriff's Departments were involved in a pursuit with the suspect vehicle. 

The vehicle subsequently crashed and the suspect fled on foot. The Eau Claire departments are currently actively searching for the suspect.

The victim is a 21 year old female. The suspect, who is known by the victim, is a 24 year old male. 

Eau Claire Police said the suspect could be armed with a long barreled shotgun. Residents in the town of Seymour are being urged to stay inside their homes.Jessica Risch has been a Walmart associate at the Mukwonago store for a few months. But says she worked third shift in the same store four years ago.

\"I'm glad, really glad. She must be really brave, must have been pretty scary,\" said Risch. 

Risch said the managers always care about their well being and safety. 

\"A little reassuring but at the same time it's also when it happened even under surveillance. It's just kind of scary,\" said Risch. 



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