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Police Hunting for Clues to Apparent Abduction in Washington Heights

By Jess Wisloski | March 30, 2013 10:12am | Updated on April 1, 2013 12:47pm

WASHINGTON HEIGHTS — Several witnesses reported hearing a woman screaming as she and a man were forced into a vehicle at gunpoint Friday, and now police are looking for any information on the incident, which looked like an abduction, police said.

The victims, an unidentified man and woman, were seen being shoved into a vehicle at 6:55 p.m. near J. Hood Wright Park, police said.

UPDATE: The NYPD Is Investigating Incident as a Hoax. Click Here for More Information

Witnesses told police the female victim was seen wearing a long white coat and dark pants, and the male victim was wearing all dark clothing, police said.

The victims — who police are seeking any information about — were headed west on W.173rd Street and turning on to Haven Avenue when the apparent abduction occurred, cops said.

The two were grabbed by a group of men, who were dressed in black, and forced into the back of a black van with tinted windows, police said.

Surveillance video released by police captured images of two men who appeared to be fleeing, and the dark minivan on Haven Avenue.

As of Saturday, police said nobody had yet come forward about the identities of the man or woman, or the alleged captors.

Police ask anyone with information relating to the incident to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477), or to submit tips by logging onto the Crime Stoppers website at nypdcrimestoppers.com or by texting tips to 274637 (CRIMES) then enter TIP577.