Ibraheem Yazeed, the suspect in the Aniah Blanchard kidnapping case, was arrested late Thursday night in Pensacola, Florida after a brief on-foot pursuit, according to al.com. Yazeed was charged with first-degree kidnapping. Blanchard was last seen on October 23.
Yazeed was awaiting trial for kidnapping, robbery and attempted murder in a previous incident.
“I am relieved that we can finally obtain some answers and locate our daughter,” Blanchard’s stepmother, Yashiba Blanchard, said. “I am prayerful that the Lord touches this young man’s heart so he will be honest and truthful and tell the authorities where our daughter is located.”
“These have been some long days and extremely sleepless nights. I feel as if the Lord has heard our cries and the community’s cries for help with finding our daughter. We are continuing to put our trust in God and pray that Chief Register and the APD with other law enforcement bring us Aniah and justice.”
https://www.instagram.com/p/B4BGyPFpCr-/?utm_source=ig_embed
While Yazeed has been arrested, Blanchard remains missing.
Blanchard, who is the stepdaughter of UFC heavyweight Walt Harris, is a student at Southern Union State Community College.
She was last seen at the same location as Yazeed and it is believed that she may have been kidnapped during a carjacking. The Auburn Police Department is continuing their search for Blanchard and hopefully, the arrest of Yazeed will allow them to get some answers about her whereabouts.
“Obviously our focus is, and has been since the beginning, finding Aniah,” Auburn Police Chief Paul Register told the media during a news briefing on Thursday morning. “It’s about giving them (family) some piece of mind.
“This is a family that’s hurting. Regardless of the outcome, they want to know where their daughter is.”
Anyone with information about this individual should call the Auburn Police Division Detective Section at 334-501-3140, the anonymous tip line at 334-246-1391, or the 24 hour non-emergency number at 334-501-3100.
