Police: Boy’s kidnapping linked to drugs

By Mary Manning

Published Thursday, Oct. 16, 2008 | 7:55 a.m.

Updated Thursday, Oct. 16, 2008 | 7:17 p.m.

UPDATE: Police: Kidnapped boy’s grandfather a ‘person of interest’

Metro Police on Thursday said the kidnapping of a 6-year-old boy from his home in the northeastern Las Vegas Valley a day earlier was linked to drug activity within the family.

Police Capt. Vincent Cannito said Metro Police, the FBI and other law enforcement agencies have developed significant leads in the case. He said law enforcement agencies from across the country are involved, including more than 100 detectives from the Metro Police department.

"There is a definite drug nexus between this family and drug deals," Cannito said during a news conference Thursday afternoon.

The safety of Cole Puffinger, who was kidnapped at gunpoint shortly after 7 a.m. Wednesday from his home on Cherry Grove Avenue, near the intersection Hollywood and Lake Mead boulevards, was the objective of the intense police activity.

Metro's missing persons teams are working 12-hour shifts with 24-hour ongoing investigations, Cannito said.

Up to three men knocked on the door at the child's home posing as police officers, police said. After entering the home, they tied up the child's mother and her boyfriend, then ransacked the house, police said. When they didn't find money, they took Cole and left.

"This is about as brutal as it gets," Cannito said, adding that the case involves "significant amounts of money and drugs."

Cannito did not give any details as to how the family is involved in drug deals.

An Amber Alert was issued for Cole at about noon Wednesday. The Amber Alert covers Southern Nevada, California, Arizona and New Mexico. The National Centers for Missing and Exploited Children entered the case as well, which is "Amber Alert on steroids," Cannito said. The center sends the missing child's information to every casino, gas station, bus station and other place where large crowds gathered, he said.

"The longer we go, the more dangerous it becomes," Cannito said. "This child was ripped from home."

Cannito would not answer questions about any call or letter asking for ransom for the boy.

Cole is described as 3-foot-11 and weighing 48 pounds. He wears silver-rimmed prescription glasses and was last seen wearing a black John Cena WWE wrestling sweatshirt, dark jeans, a belt and Vans tennis shoes with a white stripe, police said.

The suspects are described as Hispanic. At least one man carried what police believe is a semi-automatic weapon. One is described as being in his 30s, weighing about 150 pounds and having long, slicked-back hair, police said.

A second suspect is described as about 5-foot-7 and weighing about 170 pounds.

"There's a good possibility that they are Mexican nationals so our partners in law enforcement are looking down that route," Cannito said, adding that the U.S. Border Patrol is on the alert for the boy and the suspects.

Police are asking anyone who saw anything suspicious around the boy's home to call them at 828-3111. Anyone who sees Cole is urged to call 911.

Police say they are following tips from the public. Those who wish to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at 385-5555.