Individuals who prompt abduction scare found safe

JSO says woman was forced into car outside Jacksonville Orthopedic Institute

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Police say the man and woman investigated in a possible case of abduction Tuesday night at the Jacksonville Orthopedic Institute in San Marco saw themselves on TV and called the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office on Wednesday morning to say they were OK.

"It was reported that a white male abducted a white female from the Jacksonville Orthopedic Institute and forced her into a vehicle that was parked in a lot off Hendricks Avenue," JSO Sgt. Michael Paul said Tuesday night.

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Witnesses called police at 4:50 p.m. saying they were concerned that the woman was being abducted. Officers searched the area with Baptist Medical Center security personnel but did not find them, according to Paul.

Surveillance video showed the man sitting in a waiting area. When the woman walked past him, he approached her from behind, grabbed her by the arm and directed her toward the doors.

Witnesses reported there was uncomfortable body language and they were in some sort of argument. They left in an small, red vehicle with a faded paint job, according to witnesses.

"It's unclear if she asked anybody around her for help, but she was in some sort of argument or disagreement with the male. We did pull video from Baptist. It shows the male is inside the building prior to her arrival. They did not come to the building together, so we do not know what their relationship might be," Paul said.

Police found no one was unaccounted for, including employees and patients at the medical facility.

"It doesn't look like she resisted, like jerking or pulling away. Watching the video, it's hard to tell if there was verbal interaction. The video we have shows them from the rear. We have witnesses that see both of them getting in this vehicle and see him directing her or pushing her into this vehicle and the vehicle flees the scene," Paul said.

Police said Thursday the couple told them they are dating and went to the institute to see a doctor but were late for the appointment, so they left the facility. The couple said there was not a confrontation and the witnesses must have misinterpreted the situation.

Police said there is no indication at this time of any criminal wrongdoing, and they said everyone involved was unharmed.