Amber Alert Issued For Missing N.C. Teen

William Alexander Benitez Abducted By Force, Officials Say

POSTED: 4:39 pm EDT June 18, 2008

UPDATED: 8:50 pm EDT June 18, 2008

RALEIGH, N.C. -- Officials issued an Amber Alert on Wednesday for a teenager reported missing from Rockingham County.

Authorities were looking for 17-year-old William Alexander Benitez. They said he was abducted by force.

Benitez was described as Hispanic, 5 feet 7 inches tall and weighing 162 pounds. He has black hair and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing a blue-striped shirt and jeans.

Authorities said they believe Benitez was taken by 18-year-old Antonio Granado. There was no description of him released.

Authorities said Benitez was taken from 151 Stephanie Lane in Madison, N.C., around 1 p.m. Wednesday.

The victim and his suspected abductor were last seen traveling on U.S. 220 South in a Honda Accord, officials said. They said that car was found crashed so they believe the two are traveling in a red car of unknown make and model.

Officials said they believe the two are headed for Houston, Texas.

Anyone with information on this case should call the Rockingham County Sheriff’s Office at 336-634-3030.

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