Exclusive: Eyewitness account of moments before woman abducted in Milwaukee

Updated: 12:00 p.m. April 1, 2019

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Milwaukee Police are now saying a woman thought to have been the victim of a crime, was not abducted. 

Early Saturday morning, a woman came into the 7-11 on North and Newhall and asked a worker to call 911. A man came inside and reportedly took the woman, prompting a search. A car was found mid-morning and a man was arrested, but Milwaukee Police say he has been released from custody. 

Investigators say both the man and the woman cooperated with them and the abduction was baseless. 

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MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) – Milwaukee Police are looking for a woman who was abducted early Saturday morning.

It happened around 2:30 a.m. March 30 near East North Avenue and North Newhall Street inside of a7-Eleven convenience store.

The suspect was shopping inside the store. CBS 58 News Morning Reporter Andy Devine happened to be inside of the7-Eleven at the same time. Devine said the man made small talk with him at the counter.

“I was standing here speaking to the clerk. He saw I worked for CBS 58 he's like, ‘oh what do you do?’ seemed like a normal guy,” Devine said.

The man’s calm demeanor quickly changed. After their conversation, the man walked to another part of the store and that’s when the victim ran into the7-Eleven topless and went behind the counter. The suspect didn’t notice, at first. Devine was one of two witnesses.

“I literally turn around and there was a woman right there bare chest, no shirt, no clothes, was crying and had this helpless look like I need to get out of here,” Devine said.

Devine said the woman looked drugged and an employee quietly called the police.

“She was saying help me, help me call the police, basically get me out of here. I need to get out of this situation,” Devine said.

That’s when Devine said the woman tried to make a run for it, but the man grabbed her, dragged her out of the store and shoved her into his car.

“She was insistent of not getting in the car and he just made her get in the car,” Devine said.

The man then got into the vehicle and drove south on Newhall Street. Police found the car and suspect around 11 a.m. Saturday morning thanks to a tip.

The victim, who is still missing, is described as an Asian woman with blond hair with dark roots. She was last seen topless, wearing black pants. Anyone with information is asked to call 414-935-7360.