Alabama authorities have charged a suspect with first-degree kidnapping in connection with the October 23 disappearance of Aniah Blanchard.
AL.com reported that the multiple agencies, including the U.S. Marshal’s Fugitive Task Force, are searching for Ibraheem Yazeed, 30. Initially identified as a person of interest, Yazeed was allegedly the man spotted at the Auburn convenience store where Blanchard, 19, was last seen.
Various media reports have indicated that Yazeed has a lengthy criminal history which includes arrests for kidnapping, attempted murder, and robbery.
In January, Yazeed, along with two accomplices, were allegedly involved in the violent kidnapping and robbery of two men. The three suspects reportedly held two men at gunpoint in a Montgomery hotel before nearly beating one of them to death.
The trio was said to have stolen various items, including a Rolex watch, firearms, and credit and debit cards, before fleeing the scene. The Montgomery Advertiser reported that Yazeed and one of his accomplices were apprehended after Macon County deputies pulled over a car that was driving erratically and discovered a seriously-injured 77-year-old man who was beaten, robbed, and abducted from his car in Montgomery.
Despite facing attempted murder, kidnapping, and robbery charges, Yazeed was reportedly freed on a $295,000 bond a day after his February arrest.
The Advertiser and AL.com reported that Yazeed was charged with attempted murder in 2012 for trying to kill two Montgomery County officers by ramming his car into their patrol car as they exited the vehicle at a Chevron gas station. The grand jury ultimately declined to file charges in that case.
A year earlier, Yazeed was criminally charged for allegedly robbing a man of more than $2,000, a cell phone, and a Gucci watch. A grand jury also declined to indict him on robbery charges.
In 2013, Yazeed was charged with possession of a pistol without a permit and first-degree possession of marijuana. He pleaded guilty to the charges in 2015 and received a 13-month suspended sentence.
Blanchard, who is originally from Homewood and lives in Auburn, had reportedly talked to a friend prior to her disappearance. She was said to have also sent Snapchat messages to her roommate indicating that she was with a man she had recently met.
Blanchard is described as being 5 feet 6 inches tall, weighing approximately 125 pounds and having brown eyes and brown hair. She was reportedly last seen wearing a black dress, tan duck boots, and black stockings.
Anyone with information regarding Blanchard’s whereabouts, or an accident involving her vehicle, is urged to contact the Auburn Police Division Detective Section at 334-501-3140 or the anonymous their tip line at 334-246-1391.
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[Featured image: Aniah Blanchard/Facebook; Ibraheem Yazeed/Montgomery County Detention Facility]
