AMBER Alert: Tennessee teen Elizabeth Thomas, abductor Tad Cummins spotted in Oklahoma
03/31/2017 9:43 am PDT
By Adrian Mojica, WZTV
NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- (WZTV) -- The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation says there has been a confirmed sighting of AMBER Alert teen Mary Catherine Elizabeth Thomas and her accused kidnapper Tad Cummins in Oklahoma.
The TBI says based on a tip received on Thursday, they recovered surveillance footage which showed Cummins and Thomas at a Walmart on East I-240 Service Road in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma on March 15.
The video was taken two days after Thomas disappeared on March 13. The TBI says Cummins appears to have darkened his hair. The images show Thomas may currently have red hair.
This is the first confirmed sighting by the TBI of Thomas and Cummins out of about 1,200 tips. Investigators are working to identify what vehicle they were using.
Thomas, 15, is believed to have been kidnapped by Cummins, 50. Cummins is Thomas' former teacher and had been fired amid an investigation into allegations of an inappropriate contact. He's facing charges for aggravated kidnapping and sexual contact with a minor.
The TBI has stressed that this is not a romance, but a kidnapping and Thomas remains in danger. Cummins is believed to be armed with two guns.
The FBI and National Center for Missing and Exploited Children are involved in the case. The nationwide BOLO [Be On The Lookout] has been in effect for some time.
There is a $1,000 reward for information leading to Cummins' capture.
As of the morning of March 31, the TBI received more than 1,200 tips from across the country.
The TBI urges the public to remain vigilant and report any information that may prove beneficial in the ongoing search to call 1-800-TBI-FIND. If you spot the vehicle and can verify the license plate to be TN 976-ZPT, call 911 immediately.
