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The Botetourt County Sheriff's Office has just issued the following release in regard to the report of an attempted abduction in the northern part of the county. Here's the story from this morning's Roanoke Times, followed by the full statement from the sheriff's office:

FROM: Botetourt County Sheriff’s Department
Fincastle, Virginia

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE—

Botetourt Officers Resolve Attempted Abduction Report
As Matter of Cautious Reaction

Botetourt County Sheriff Ronnie N. Sprinkle has reported that a cautious reaction Sunday afternoon by two teenage female residents of Iron Gate resulted in a report of attempted abduction that was later resolved as a matter of mistaken identity. Awareness of two recent carjacking abductions of females in the Clifton Forge area combined with the presence of known sex offenders residing in the Iron Gate area resulted in the cautionary actions by the two girls, Sheriff Sprinkle said.

The sheriff said that the incident occurred at 3:45 p.m. Sunday on 10th street when the girls were crossing the road to visit a relative of one of the girls in an area that is within Botetourt County. They reported that the driver of a vehicle accosted them and followed them to the relative’s house where they had fled and locked the door.

In the ensuing investigation, a sketch of the male involved was distributed to area news media. The subject involved recognized himself during a television newscast, came forward, and established that he was a friend of the relative and was delivering a long-promised sack of onions, Sheriff Sprinkle said, adding that both the promise and the presence of the onions were confirmed.

Iron Gate and Alleghany County officers initially responded to the call, which later was established to be within Botetourt County’s jurisdiction.

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