TULSA, Okla. — A man is behind bars, accused of trying to kidnap a teenage girl in Jenks.
Police took the man into custody early Monday morning after police pulled him over with the young girl in the car. Jenks police arrested 53-year-old Thomas Pearce around 2:30 a.m. near 100 West 131st St. in Jenks. Police pulled-over Pearce after officers drove passed his car in a driveway with a teenage girl in the passenger seat.
According to police records, the young girl, being referred to as “BP,” said Pearce zip-tied her hands and took photos of her without her clothes.
BP told police the two were texting over an app when Pearce ordered her to sneak out of her parent’s home, threatening to traffic her brother and her sister if she didn’t comply. Police said Pearce also gave the girl marijuana.
The alleged victim also told police that Pearce told her he’s done the same thing to other girls. During the arrest, police confiscated three cell phones, four thumb drives and marijuana.
Detective Jason Weis with the Tulsa County Sheriff’s Office and co-founder of the Demand Project, said parents need to be more vigilant of child predators. With more apps coming out all the time, parents need to stay aware of who they're talking to online.
“Stay aware. Don’t let your guard down," Weis said. "The minute you let your guard down, the predator will strike."
The Demand Project is hosting an awareness workshop for parents on how to protect their children from predators on social media Wednesday, Feb. 17. To sign up, click here.
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