Cactus Village Community

Volunteer Response Team Mobilization by Barbara Galvano

Jul 10, 2003

On January 7, 2003, the Volunteer Response Team (VRT) was mobilized to assist the Missing Persons Detail in finding an 11-year-old girl who had been kidnapped.

The victim had been waiting at a bus stop on Monday, January 6, 2003 at approximately 6:50 a.m. when she was pulled into a maroon, possibly 4-door, Toyota style passenger car. Patrol officers and Missing Persons Detectives worked the case all night long and initiated a Volunteer Response Team mobilization at approximately 5:50 a.m. on January 7th to the command post located behind the Kmart on 35th Avenue and Greenway Rd. Upon arrival at the command post we received notification the victim had been released near 50th Avenue and Greenway Rd. by the suspect. During the interview with the detectives she disclosed that she had in fact been pulled into the vehicle, her face had been covered, and she was driven to an unknown location where the suspect sexually assaulted her. The suspect is described as a white or Hispanic male, approximately six feet tall with a buzz haircut and goatee. His clothing was described as a dark green winter coat with blue jeans. His age has not been determined.

The Volunteer Response Team is an extension of Phoenix Neighborhood Patrol. These volunteers have gone through extensive training, on their own time, to obtain VRT status and have logged in hundreds of hours patrolling our neighborhoods.

I would like to extend my appreciation for the quick response and dedication to the team!. . . ☺