Mason County Sheriff's Office: Do Not Pickup Strangers Along Road
On late Thursday evening, a couple was traveling to their rural Topeka home and noticed a young female walking along Route 136. As they neared the woman, they could see she appeared to be in distress. Against their better judgment, the couple stopped to render the woman assistance. The woman said she had just left her abusive boyfriend and needed to get to Havana to call someone to take her to Jacksonville.
Although the couple had a long day, was tired, and already late
in getting home, they allowed the woman into their vehicle and
transported her to Havana where she used a pay telephone.
After several minutes of using the phone, the woman said
she was not successful with reaching anyone and our
Mason County couple found themselves in a dilemma. They
ultimately decided to take the woman to Jacksonville.
For the one-hour drive to Jacksonville, the woman told the couple
how appreciative she was for their help. At 1:00 a.m., the woman was let out at a housing complex where our good Samaritans were satisfied she was safe. The Mason County couple arrived home at approximately 2:30 a.m. At the house, the husband noticed that he was missing his wallet. Inside the wallet were some credit cards and about thirty dollars cash. The first thought was that it was misplaced but a thorough search yielded nothing. Certainly, the distressed woman, who had nowhere else to turn, did not have the audacity to steal it.
It would be nice to say that this true story has a pleasant outcome. Unfortunately it does not. The couple received a telephone call the next morning reporting that the man’s wallet was found along a road in Jacksonville. The credit cards remained; however, all of the man’s money was gone.
“I think this is one of the most appalling reports that we have received this year. The Mason County Sheriff’s Office will work very hard to bring this woman to justice,” said Sheriff Wayne Youell. The woman was described as being a 35 to 40 year old black female with short, dark hair. Anyone having any information as to the identity of this woman is encouraged to telephone Sheriff Wayne Youell at 309-543-2231.
Sheriff Youell advises Mason County’s citizens to never stop to render assistance to strangers, especially during the night. “I know Mason County has a lot of kindhearted people readily willing to help their fellow man, but unfortunately you never know what type of predicament you might be getting you or family into. If you want to help people who are walking along our roadways or suspected stranded motorists, call and report the circumstances to the local police or sheriff’s office.”
Although the couple had a long day, was tired, and already late
in getting home, they allowed the woman into their vehicle and
transported her to Havana where she used a pay telephone.
After several minutes of using the phone, the woman said
she was not successful with reaching anyone and our
Mason County couple found themselves in a dilemma. They
ultimately decided to take the woman to Jacksonville.
For the one-hour drive to Jacksonville, the woman told the couple
how appreciative she was for their help. At 1:00 a.m., the woman was let out at a housing complex where our good Samaritans were satisfied she was safe. The Mason County couple arrived home at approximately 2:30 a.m. At the house, the husband noticed that he was missing his wallet. Inside the wallet were some credit cards and about thirty dollars cash. The first thought was that it was misplaced but a thorough search yielded nothing. Certainly, the distressed woman, who had nowhere else to turn, did not have the audacity to steal it.
It would be nice to say that this true story has a pleasant outcome. Unfortunately it does not. The couple received a telephone call the next morning reporting that the man’s wallet was found along a road in Jacksonville. The credit cards remained; however, all of the man’s money was gone.
“I think this is one of the most appalling reports that we have received this year. The Mason County Sheriff’s Office will work very hard to bring this woman to justice,” said Sheriff Wayne Youell. The woman was described as being a 35 to 40 year old black female with short, dark hair. Anyone having any information as to the identity of this woman is encouraged to telephone Sheriff Wayne Youell at 309-543-2231.
Sheriff Youell advises Mason County’s citizens to never stop to render assistance to strangers, especially during the night. “I know Mason County has a lot of kindhearted people readily willing to help their fellow man, but unfortunately you never know what type of predicament you might be getting you or family into. If you want to help people who are walking along our roadways or suspected stranded motorists, call and report the circumstances to the local police or sheriff’s office.”
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