Authorities in St. Louis have identified a suspect in the abduction of a 1-year-old child during a vehicle theft Sunday night. The Missouri State Highway Patrol confirmed the suspect’s identity as Joseph Nickell, 43, and issued an Amber Alert for Emiliona Gonzalez, who was taken from a White Castle parking lot in downtown St. Louis.
The incident occurred at approximately 10:40 p.m. on Sunday, [date], in the 800 block of S. Broadway. Nickell is accused of stealing a blue 2015-2023 Dodge Charger with white racing stripes and an Illinois temporary license plate, in which Gonzalez was inside. The vehicle was last seen traveling eastbound on Walnut Street from Memorial Drive.
Suspect Description
Joseph Nickell is described as a Black man, 6 feet tall, with dark hair and a light mustache. He was armed with a handgun and was last seen wearing a nude or tan shirt, dark blue jeans, and Nike shoes. He also goes by the nickname "Jojo."
Child’s Description
Emiliona Gonzalez was wearing a gray onesie with black shorts when last seen. She is 1 year old and has not been located as of the latest update.
Vehicle Details
The stolen vehicle is a blue Dodge Charger (2015-2023 model), equipped with two white stripes over the hood, an Illinois temporary registration tag, and an Illinois license plate. Authorities have not specified whether the vehicle’s owner was involved in the incident.
Ongoing Search Efforts
Law enforcement agencies, including the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department and the Missouri State Highway Patrol, are actively searching for Nickell and the child. The public has been urged to contact 911 with any information. No further details about the vehicle’s origin or Nickell’s possible motives have been released.
Background on Amber Alerts
Amber Alerts are emergency alerts issued when a child is believed to have been abducted. The system is designed to mobilize the public and law enforcement in search efforts. This alert follows standard protocols, including the dissemination of suspect and vehicle descriptions to media outlets and digital platforms.
The investigation remains active, and authorities have not provided additional updates on the child’s whereabouts or the suspect’s movements.