Partially clothed southern Illinois woman trying to escape truck found safe, police say

Police in Jefferson County on Thursday issued a call for “urgent help” in locating a dented brown pickup truck and the partially nude woman captured on security camera apparently trying to escape it.

The truck, its driver and the woman has been located in another, unspecified jurisdiction outside Jefferson County, the sheriff’s department said in an updated press release posted on social media.

“The female was okay and no evidence of criminal activity was reported,” the release from the Madison County Sheriff’s department stated. “Thank you again for the quick assistance from those who called!

Images of the vehicle were captured on surveillance camera and shared on Facebook by Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department Thursday afternoon. One of the images shows an open passenger-side door with a woman clad only in what appear to be underwear and bra. The other photo shows the rear of the truck with a bare leg and foot apparently kicking at the open door.

The images were captured as the truck “sped by” the Jefferson County Justice Center in Mount Vernon, according to the initial release asking for the public’s assistance.

“A white female, barely dressed can be seen in the open front passenger door, as she tried to exit the truck,” the release stated. “The suspect vehicle sped by the Justice Center eastbound, running the stop (sign at the) intersection at 9th and Casey as the female tried to exit. The female was not able to exit the vehicle and it is unknown where the truck went, after speeding off.

“The Sheriff’s Office needs to locate this female to check her well being as soon as possible.”

The truck was identifiable by a dent in the passenger side of the bed, just in front of the rear wheel well.

This story was originally published November 30, 2023 at 3:47 PM.