Stolen SUV incident becomes suspicious circumstances case

An abduction incident involving a sleeping 17-year-old girl in a reportedly stolen SUV changed to a suspicious circumstances case and canceled Amber Alert by Monday evening, Costa Mesa police said.

The investigation is ongoing.

The initial Costa Mesa police report, released Monday morning, said the Costa Mesa resident was sleeping inside a 1998 blue Ford Expedition parked near Santa Ana Avenue and Magnolia Street at about 1 a.m.

Also sleeping in the car was its owner, Kiefer Sprague, 20, who reported to Costa Mesa police that an unknown Hispanic male, approximately 30 years old, approached the vehicle and demanded he give it to him.

According to the initial police report, Sprague, of Placentia, told police the suspect allegedly “simulated a handgun in his waistband.” Sprague told police he complied and said to the suspect he believed the girl was still in the backseat.

The suspect then fled with the car, apparently with the 17-year-old still inside, northbound on Santa Ana Avenue, according to the report.

Police issued a statewide Amber Alert, only to call it off by the afternoon after the girl was found in central Orange County by police, Costa Mesa Sgt. Phil Myers said.

It was unclear Monday if the Expedition or reported suspect have been found.

During the girl’s alleged disappearance, she was in contact with her family via an unnamed online social networking site and said to them she was not in danger, according to police.

Police said the girl’s online messages also could have indicated she may not have been in the vehicle when it was taken. Before she was found, police had tried using the website to contact her but were unsuccessful.

According to Sprague’s Facebook profile page, he is a 2007 Newport Harbor High School graduate and an electrician.

The Orange County Register reported that, according to county court records, Sprague is on probation for drug and drug paraphernalia possession and was sentenced to a rehab program in April.