The Auburn police division has identified a suspect that stems from an investigation into the disappearance of Aniah Blanchard.
Ibraheem Yazeed, 30, from Montgomery, Alabama, has been identified as the person of interest, according to police.
A warrant was obtained for his arrest on first-degree kidnapping charges, police said. Police said the US Marshal’s Fugitive Task Force and other agencies are assisting in the investigation and are actively searching for Yazeed.
Yazeed is currently out on bond for the kidnapping and attempted murder charges from another jurisdiction, according to police.
Police said Yazeed should be considered dangerous and potentially armed.
Further investigation and analysis of evidence has determined that Yazeed was at the same location Blanchard was last seen and was involved in "taking Aniah against her will," police said.
Police said additional charges are anticipated.
Auburn University's Campus Safety & Security is increasing the number of security officers assigned to campus, per an email sent to students, faculty and staff.
Anyone with information regarding his whereabouts or having information on this case is asked to call the Auburn Police Division Detective Section at 334-501-3140, Central Alabama Crime Stoppers at 334-215-STOP or the 24-hour non-emergency number at 334-501-3100.
Blanchard, 19, was reported missing on Oct. 23, after last communicating with a friend just before midnight.
Days after Blanchard was last seen, her black, Honda CR-V was recovered at a Montgomery apartment complex on Oct. 25, about 55 miles from where the teen was last seen in Auburn.
Police said the vehicle had damage to the passenger side, and her family said the damage was not present prior to that day. On Oct. 31, police said they suspect foul play based on evidence recovered inside the vehicle.
Blanchard is described as a light-complexioned black female, 5-feet-six-inches tall and weighing about 125 pounds, according to police. She has brown eyes and brown hair.
She was last seen wearing a black dress, tan duck boots and black stockings, according to police.
The Auburn Police Division, Montgomery Police Department and nine other law enforcement agencies are working on the case and operating as a task force.
Texas EquuSearch joined the 11 law enforcement agencies in the search.
Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey, UFC President Dana White, UFC Fighter Jon Jones and several others have donated to a reward pool, which now totals over $100,000, for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the perpetrator.
Anyone with information on Blanchard’s whereabouts is asked to contact the Auburn Police Division at 334-501-3140, the anonymous tip line at 334-246-1391 or the 24-hour non-emergency number at 334-501-3100.
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Eduardo Medina, senior in journalism, is the editor-in-chief of The Auburn Plainsman.
