UPDATE: The Sheriff's Office is happy to report that Selena Fernandez has been safely located. The suspect, Rodney Richards, Jr., is in custody. We would like to thank the public for their assistance.

The Stafford County Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s assistance in locating a 17-year-old female that was forcibly taken from the Courthouse Valero in the 2100 block of Jefferson Davis Highway last night.

On September 16th at approximately 9:59 p.m., deputies responded to 2142 Jefferson Davis Highway for a reported abduction. A witness reported 17-year-old Selena Fernandez, of Spotsylvania, had entered the store visibly distraught. Fernandez asked to use the phone and a clerk provided one. As Fernandez used the phone to call a relative for a ride, Rodney Richards, Jr. entered the store and took the phone from Fernandez. Richards proceeded to forcibly remove Fernandez from the store. They were last seen leaving the convenience store southbound on Jefferson Davis Highway in a white older model four door sedan, possibly a Honda Accord.

Fernandez is described as a black female, 5’3” tall, 160 pounds with brown hair and brown eyes. Richards is described as a 19-year-old black male, 5’10” tall, 230 pounds with black hair and brown eyes. He is an acquaintance of Fernandez and also has a Spotsylvania address.

Warrants for abduction, assault and battery, contributing to the delinquency of a minor, and driving suspended have been obtained against Richards. Fernandez has been entered into a national database as missing and endangered. Anyone with information that could assist in locating them is asked to call the Stafford Sheriff’s Office at 540-658-4400 or your local law enforcement. We will continue to update our website and social media with any new information. Please visit staffordsheriff.com, Office of Stafford County Sheriff on Facebook or StaffordCoSheriff on Twitter.