Aransas Pass Police Department

ARANSAS PASS (News Release) - On Tuesday, October 4, 2022, investigators with the Vernon Parish Sheriff’s office from Louisiana contacted Aransas Pass Police Department (APPD) in reference to kidnapping suspect Joseph Phillips, age 26, and a 14-year-old missing juvenile that may be in the area.

Phillips and the missing juvenile were seen on a purple motorcycle as they attempted to use a debit card at Murphy’s gas station.

A concerned citizen later reported that a male in his 20s and a very young female were at the little league park who appeared “out of it” and slept on a bench. The citizen reported that the male came out of the bathroom and had a large laceration on his leg.

Several officers went to the park and found the female as she slept on a park bench, but Phillips was nowhere to be found.

While investigating the incident at the park, officers observed a male subject traveling East on Johnson Street matching the description of Phillips on a purple motorcycle.

A traffic stop was conducted, and Phillips was detained.

Joseph Phillips active warrants in Louisiana are for contributing to the delinquency of a minor and second-degree kidnapping.

The Vernon Parish Sheriff’s office and Texas child protective services were notified and assumed the investigation and returned the juvenile to her home.