CRIME:

Amber Alert issued for boy, 6, kidnapped at gunpoint

Published Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2008 | 10:43 a.m.

Updated Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2008 | 2 p.m.

UPDATE: Search widens for kidnapped Las Vegas boy, 6

Metro Police

Cole Puffinburger

An Amber Alert has been issued for a 6-year-old Las Vegas boy kidnapped this morning during a home invasion and robbery, Metro Police said.

Metro Police Lt. Clint Nichols pleaded with three men who took the boy from his home in northeastern Las Vegas to return the child safely to a school, hospital or convenience store.

The child, Cole Puffinburger, was kidnapped at gunpoint shortly after 7 a.m., when three men posing as police officers knocked on a front door near Hollywood Boulevard and Cherry Grove Avenue, police said.

The crime appears to be random, police said, adding that the mother didn't know the men.

The child's mother let the three men inside the home. The trio then tied up the woman, son and another man. When they didn't find money inside the house, they took the boy, police said.

The boy is described as 3-foot-11 weighing 48 pounds and wearing a black John Cena sweatshirt with stars on it, dark jeans and black Vans tennis shoes. He also wears silver-rimmed glasses.

Two of the suspected robbers were identified only as two Hispanic men, police said. A third man has shoulder-length hair that is slicked back. He was last seen wearing a white T-shirt and blue jeans.

Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 385-5555.

Discussion: 11 comments so far…

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By 2zero

Oct. 15, 2008

11:15 a.m.

Suggest removal

What the he2l did these men look like? Young, old, black, white?????

Give us something to look for!!!
By cowdemon

Oct. 15, 2008

11:34 a.m.

Suggest removal

Every other outlet is reporting the kidnappers are Hispanic. I'm surprised the LVSUN decided to leave that bit of information out of their report.
By Hingreed

Oct. 15, 2008

11:49 a.m.

Suggest removal

Yeah man, give us a better description. What kind of car were they driving? I cannot believe that there are real jerks out in this world that would do something like this. I hope they find the child safe.

-Hingreed
By ctrl_esc

Oct. 15, 2008

2:03 p.m.

Suggest removal

There is more, myspace announced the amber alert also. If you have the correct zip code entered you will see it when you log in.

Missing From: Hollywood and Lake Mead, Las Vegas, NV
Missing Date: 10/15/2008 12:00 AM

Contact: Las Vegas Metro Police Department
702-828-3111

Circumstances: Las Vegas Metro Police Department earlier this morning reported that a 6-year-old boy was kidnapped this morning from a home near Hollywood and Lake Mead during a robbery around 7:15 a.m. According to police, the two suspects knocked on the door and indicated they were police however once inside they tied up the boy's mother and her male friend and began looking for money in the home. Police say they took the boy when no money was found. The reason why there was no AMBER Alert Activation until just before Noon, was LVMPD had no descriptions to give. However, we now have one description of the three Hispanic males who are now suspects, all of whom speak with a Hispanic accent.

Missing Child Name: Cole Puffinburger
Hair Color: Blonde Eye Color: Blue
Skin Color: White
Height: 3FT11 Weight: 48LBS
Gender: Male
Description: Last seen wearing a black John Cena sweatshirt, dark jeans, black Vans tennis shoes, and silver-rimmed glasses.

SuspectName: Unknown Unknown
Skin Color: Hispanic
Gender: Male

Name: Unknown Unknown
Skin Color: Hispanic
Gender: Male

Name: Unknown Unknown
Hair Color: Black
Skin Color: Hispanic Age: Early 30's
Height: 5FT7 Weight: 150LBS
Gender: Male
Description: The suspect has shoulder length hair that is slicked back. He was last seen wearing a white t-shirt and blue jeans.
By ctrl_esc

Oct. 15, 2008

2:05 p.m.

Suggest removal

so EARLY 30's and HISPANIC.
By man_on_fire

Oct. 15, 2008

5:24 p.m.

Suggest removal

The perps were Mexican Cartell, it's a shady DEAL
There was no robbery , they were looking for some property ! Think , if this were your kid ..... What would you do ? Trust in the local police or FBI ??? I think not........ Word to the wise , watch MAN ON FIRE...... Poor Cole our prayers are with you !!!!!
By pie33

Oct. 15, 2008

11:23 p.m.

Comment removed by staff.
By lynn909

Oct. 16, 2008

2:04 p.m.

Suggest removal

Kidnapping is common practice in TJ. It is moving north!! This is something that should concern us ALL! I have very good mexican friends who have moved their entire family out of TJ because they are wealthy and are targets for kidnapping!! Please people this is serious stuff here!! Dont turn away.. or forget.
Prayers are with this dear family.
By scottagogo

Oct. 16, 2008

4:22 p.m.

Suggest removal

The parents had nothing to do with this - I happen to know the mother personally so all of you who have nothing but negative sh*t to say about the "parents" keep your ignorance to yourself as you have no idea what your talking about. These kidnappers have their own agenda - whatever that may be, I think more will come out soon enough and lets just hope that Cole will be returned home and that he and his parents will not be emotionally destroyed for the rest of their lives.
By Lelai

Oct. 16, 2008

6:10 p.m.

Suggest removal

one thing all of us we can afford to do: use your celfone camera to capture Collin's face on this article and forward it to a friend

SUBJECT: Missing las vegas boy! HELP!
give the phone number to call.
tell them not t let the message die. forward it to as many people you can...
Having Collin's face on people's celfone will help people check themselves if they think they have a positive i.d. on the boy.

I already did this.
By bluemoon

Oct. 21, 2008

9:54 p.m.

Suggest removal

Thank you to everyone who helped pass the message and ultimately "spook" the kidnappers into releasing Cole safely. As the nearby mother of 2 little ones, it reminds me how precious our children are. It is terrifying to think of all the what if's that could cause them harm... now we have to add kidnappings by drug cartels to our nightmare scenarios. For those of us - like Cole's mom- in a wrong place family, or a wrong place moment (like just walking across a parking lot as a drug crime goes down) - we have to figure out how to keep the innocents safe. If everyone took a stand and got involved, like so many did this week, perhaps we could make a difference. Perhaps taking a stand -instead of hiding in the desert- is the only way to keep our children safe. I, for one, have chosen to take a stand against drugs. They hurt too many people. If any good can come of Cole's tragic experience, then maybe it's the "aha" moment in which I finally realized what my dear friends Brad and Kirsten and Kathy have been saying. It is time to stop hiding and start speaking out for what is right. If I can do it, so can you!