Local Teen Kidnapped Thursday, Suspect Identified
The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office is looking for a girl they say was kidnapped from the Waffle House parking lot in the 2000 block of Gordon Highway late Thursday night.
Deputies responded to a call of shots fired there at 11:30 p.m. A witness told deputies she saw a male and female involved in a verbal and physical altercation in the parking lot. She said that’s when the male, identified by authorities as 59-year-old Willie Walker, grabbed 19-year old Zykla Rhodes and allegedly forced her into a black Chevy Malibu or Chevy Cruz.
The witness said Walker pointed a gun at her as well as others seen recording the incident on their cell phones from inside the Waffle House.
A purse belonging to Rhodes was found in the parking lot, and staff at the nearby Budgetel Inn were able to provide security camera footage that positively identified Walker. He’s black, 6’1″ and weighs 195. He was last seen wearing multi-colored jeans and a white t-shirt. Walker is wanted for Kidnapping.
The victim is black, 5’5″ and weighs 120 pounds. Rhodes was last seen wearing black jeans and a blue jean jacket. Richmond County Investigators say Rhodes is believed to be in danger.
Anyone with information is asked to call Investigator Tyler Steerman, or any Violent Crime Investigator at the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office at (706) 821-1020 or (706) 821-1080. Callers may remain anonymous.
