FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: John Willard

October 11, 2006 (703) 838-1924

 

HIGHWAY WATCH® ISSUES REQUEST FOR ASSISTANCE

Highway ISAC seeks information leading to possible Vermont abduction

 

Alexandria , VA --The Highway Watch® program's Highway ISAC has issued a formal Be On the Lookout (BOLO) requesting assistance from members of the trucking and law enforcement community to assist in locating a missing female college student.

 

Michelle GARDNER-QUINN, a 21 year old college student attending the University of Vermont, disappeared sometime in the early morning hours of Saturday, 7 October 2006. GARDNER-QUINN is described as a white female, approximately 5’8” height, 135 lbs. weight, with a stud piercing in her nose. GARDNER-QUINN was last known to be wearing a gray peacoat type jacket, green button-up cardigan type sweater, and light blue t-shirt. She was carrying a black Puma purse with white straps.

 

"While we take all reports of missing children seriously and are committed to helping in any way we can, this one’s personal because it involves the daughter of an ATA employee," said Bill Jacobs, VP of Highway Watch®. "We’re issuing this BOLO in the hopes that we can somehow help find this young lady and ensure her safe return to her family. We’re asking all members of the Highway Watch® family to join us in our search."

 

The relevant information on the missing child is as follows:

 

 

 

 

GARDNER-QUINN was last seen at approximately 0215hrs after parting company with a group of friends celebrating a birthday party at a local bar in downtown Burlington, Vermont. GARDNER-QUINN’s disappearance is considered highly suspicious.

 

A vehicle of interest is sought in connection with this investigation. This vehicle may or may not be involved in the disappearance of GARDNER-QUINN. The vehicle is described as a white hatchback sedan with gold trim and gold pinstripe, possibly manufactured by Subaru, with green Vermont license plates. The license plate is described as “bent up at the bottom”. The vehicle was operated by an unknown subject described as a white male, age in 20’s,  approximately 6’ height, with short cropped light blond hair, with unshaven five o’clock shadow, wearing a gray “hoodie” sweatshirt and light colored baseball cap.

 

The male driver spoke to an uninvolved female witness at a separate location in downtown Burlington at approximately 0235hrs, asking the female to get into the vehicle. The female witness refused, and the vehicle was last seen departing toward Internal Avenue from North Winooski Avenue.

 

Any persons with information regarding the case are asked to contact:

 

Burlington , Vermont Police Department

at

802-658-2700

 

 

Highway Watch® has posted photos of the person in question at www.highwayisac.org. Anyone with information on the identity or whereabouts of the person in question is encouraged to call the Highway ISAC at 866-821-3444 or email at hwisac@trucking.org.