Update: new photo of Hopley released as search continues for missing boy
By Nelson Daily Staff
As the search for three year old Kienan Hebert continues, the Elk Valley RCMP are issuing an alternate photo of Randall Hopley in the hope that it will help to locate him.
Locally, the search and rescue members and volunteers are continuing their search for Kienan and have expanded their grid search area beyond the areas that were deemed where he would mostly likely be located if he had wandered away from his home.
“In addition to police efforts to locate Hopley, local search and rescue personnel are actively searching for any sign of Kienan. We are fully pursuing every option and theory that will result in locating and safely returning him to his family,” said RCMP Cpl. Dan Moskaluk, Media Relations Officer.
“We are asking people with recreation properties in the area to visit them and check to see if there is anything suspicious, and if there is, to contact police.”
Moskaluk said that people should be looking for signs of forced entry, missing or stolen items and indications that people have been using the property or the grounds.
“People know their property and know what is normal. If something appears to be out of place and wrong then they should contact their local police,” said Cpl. Moskaluk.
Police are also confirming that investigators are currently conducting a search of Hopley’s residence.
Kienan, three, is described as having short red hair, wearing “Scooby Doo” cartoon boxer shorts and may be carrying up to three blankets with him.
Randall Peter Hopley, 46 is described as a white male with brown hair and hazel eyes. He is 5’ 10” and weighs 147 lbs. Police are also searching for Hopley’s vehicle described as:
Brown 1987 Toyota Camry, BC License Plate 098 RAL.
If anyone has seen Kienan Hebert, Randall Hopley or his vehicle they are asked to call 9-1-1.
From Friday
The 46-year-old man who is a suspect in the disappearance of three-year-old Kienan Hebert was allegedly seen in Kamloops Thursday evening, the Calgary Herald reports.
RCMP have received a tip of a possible sighting of Randall Hopley, a convicted sex offender and a suspect in the disappearance of the Sparwood boy.
The hunt for the boy expanded into Alberta and Washington state on Thursday, with search and rescue crews still combing the wilderness around Sparwood.
An Amber Alert was issued in B.C. for Kienan around 6 p.m. Wednesday when early search efforts proved fruitless.
- The story continues at: http://www.calgaryherald.com/news/Suspected+offender+wanted+Amber+Alert+case+sighted+Kamloops+Reports/5374141/story.html#ixzz1XTUKWq6f
See also
B.C. abduction suspect’s mom issues plea
Delay in Amber Alert for B.C. boy questioned
Still no trace of B.C. boy as police seek suspect
From Thursday
The search continued Thursday for Kienan Hebert — the Sparwood boy who went missing overnight Tuesday from his home.
Search efforts continued overnight, including the assistance of military aircraft that facilitated with night vision capabilities. An Amber Alert, issued later in the day Wednesday, remains in effect Thursday.
“Amber Alert is only one part of an extensive investigation,” said RCMP Cpl. Dan Moskaluk. “Information that Kienan was missing was provided to the public and media, and as our search and investigation continued and we were able to meet the minimum requirements, the Amber Alert was issued as well.”
Search and Rescue teams, RCMP and police service dogs continue to search the ground and police helicopters search by air. The South East District Major Crime Unit and other specialized units are also assisting with this priority investigation.
B.C. RCMP are also still searching for Randall Hopley — who they suspect the boy is with — an area-man who has a criminal record for assault, sexual assault and 12 break-ins.
RCMP officers were busy Thursday following up on hundreds of tips from the public, but have not commented on why Hopley is being suspected in Hebert’s disappearance.
From Wednesday
RCMP in the Elk Valley near Sparwood have issued an Amber Alert for a missing three-year-old boy who may have been taken from his home by a 46-year-old man.
Police are seeking Randall Hopley, 46, as a person of interest in connection with the disappearance of Kienan Hebert, who went missing overnight in the community of Sparwood, three hours east of Nelson.
Using helicopters and police canine units, police began a search for the boy, who has a history of sleepwalking. They first believed he might have wandered into the night while asleep, said RCMP Cpl. Dan Moskaluk.
The boy was put to bed Tuesday night but was not there when they checked on him Wednesday morning. Hebert, who has short red hair, was last seen wearing Scooby-Doo boxer shorts, RCMP said, and may be carrying up to three blankets with him.
Hopley is believed to be driving a brown 1987 Toyota Camry with the B.C. licence plate 098 RAL. The alert says Hopley is not related to the boy.
Hopley has brown hair, hazel eyes and has a birthmark along his hairline.
Officers from Kelowna’s major crime unit are now on their way to the scene to investigate.
Anyone who may have seen Kienan, Randall Hopley or Hopley’s vehicle are asked to call 9-1-1 immediately.
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