A multi-state manhunt for a 17-year-old girl believed to be with a 52-year-old man and in “extreme danger” came to an end Thursday with the suspect’s arrest, federal officials announced.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Knoxville Field Office had been looking for Grace Galliher, who allegedly left her home in Bristol, Tenn., on Tuesday with 52-year-old Richard Tester.
The FBI said the teenager was last seen leaving a motel in Marion, Va., with Tester and they were thought to be traveling on Interstate 81.
The FBI posted to Twitter Thursday, “Suspect in custody in Tennessee. Victim safe.” Additional details were not immediately released by officials.
Suspect in custody in Tennessee. Victim safe.
— FBI Knoxville (@FBIKnoxville) July 26, 2018
Virginia State Police had issued an AMBER Alert on Thursday, saying Galliher was “believed to be in extreme danger.”
Authorities said the pair were traveling in a 2004 navy blue Chevrolet Trailblazer with Tennessee tag B7101V.
The two were last seen traveling in a 2004 navy blue Chevrolet Trailblazer, according to police. (FBI Knoxville)
The Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office said in a news release a warrant had been issued for Tester, who is now wanted for aggravated kidnapping.
#Update: Endangered juvenile last seen leaving motel in Marion, Virginia with Tester. Believed to be traveling in the black Trail Blazer in Southeast Virginia. Call Police with info pic.twitter.com/idOuJGxFck
— FBI Knoxville (@FBIKnoxville) July 25, 2018
Police have not disclosed how the two know each other.
