UPDATE
OAKLAND PARK, FL (Boca Post) (Copyright © 2026) — Broward Sheriff’s Office detectives are investigating what they now describe as a false attempted kidnapping report in Oakland Park.
BSO said deputies were dispatched at about 5:12 p.m. Sunday, April 12, to an attempted kidnapping call near the 4100 block of Northwest 21st Avenue. On scene, deputies met with the guardian of an 11-year-old boy.
According to investigators, the guardian reported that an adult male had attempted to kidnap the child. The child told deputies a male dressed in all black on a purple bike tried to take him after placing a hand around the child’s mouth.
BSO said that based on the juvenile’s initial account, his demeanor, and the level of detail he provided, deputies found the child’s claims to be credible at the time. Deputies canvassed the area and issued a BOLO, or Be-On-the-Look-Out, to surrounding agencies. BSO also contacted the media immediately because of the seriousness of the reported crime.
After additional investigation, BSO said detectives determined an attempted kidnapping did not occur.
Detectives said a male subject in the area had frightened the child, which may have caused him to hide and fabricate the incident.
BSO said the investigation remains active and detectives are continuing to conduct a thorough investigation into what happened.
For residents in Broward and neighboring Palm Beach County who may have seen the initial alerting activity, BSO’s update is that the reported attempted kidnapping itself did not happen as described. The agency’s Special Victims Unit is handling the case.
BSO also used the update to remind the public that making a false report is serious. The agency said false reports are illegal, waste resources, and divert deputies and investigators from legitimate emergencies.
BSO urged parents to talk with their children about the seriousness of making a false report and the negative impact it can have on the community.
What happens next is continued follow-up by BSO detectives as they work through the circumstances that led to the call and the later determination that no attempted kidnapping occurred.
Originally reported by Boca Post
OAKLAND PARK, FL (Boca Post) (Copyright © 2026) — BOCA RATON — Broward Sheriff’s Office detectives are investigating an attempted kidnapping reported Sunday evening in Oakland Park and are asking the public to help identify and locate the suspect.
BSO said detectives with its Special Victims Unit are working the case after an 11-year-old boy reported a man tried to kidnap him near the 4100 block of Northwest 21st Avenue.
Investigators said the incident happened at about 5:12 p.m. on Sunday, April 12.
According to investigators, the child told detectives a male subject dressed in all black placed his hand around the boy’s mouth and grabbed him. The suspect then walked with the child, investigators said, before the child managed to escape.
Detectives said the suspect was last seen riding a purple bike.
BSO Special Victims Unit detectives are the lead agency handling the investigation. The department is asking anyone who may have seen the suspect, recognizes the description, or has other information to come forward.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Special Victims Unit Detective Eric Wilson at 954-321-4460 or submit a tip through the SaferWatch app.
People who want to remain anonymous and be eligible for a cash reward can contact Broward Crime Stoppers at 954-493-TIPS (8477), go online to browardcrimestoppers.org, or dial **TIPS (8477) from any cellphone in the United States.
BSO said tips that lead to an arrest in the case are eligible for a reward of up to $5,000.
Residents should watch for updates from BSO as detectives work to identify the suspect and ask anyone with relevant information to report it.
