South Carolina Amber Alert suspect caught in Giles Co.

WSLS News Staff, Media General News Service, and The Associated Press
Published: June 16, 2008

Updated 7:57 p.m.

The Giles Co. Sheriff’s Office says they received information around 3:45 this afternoon concerning Robert Custer, II.
They found him at a home on Bales Rd., that’s in the Broad Hollow section of Pearisburg with 4-year-old Colin Custer.
Custer and the boy were the only ones in the home at the time, and Custer was arrested without incident.
Investigators know who owns the home, but aren’t saying if there is a connection between the owner and Custer.
Giles Co. Social Services has custody of Colin and the sheriff says his mother is on her way to pick him up.
Custer is being taken to the New River Valley Regional Jail where he’ll await extradition back to South Carolina.
The sheriff says that could take several days.
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By Wesley P. Hester
Media General News Service

4-year-old Florida boy has been found unharmed in Virginia after being abducted earlier today by his father.

An Amber Alert was issued for all Virginia after the boy’s mother was found this morning at a Lexington County, S.C., gas station. She told authorities she had escaped the vehicle in which she, too, reportedly being held captive by her ex-boyfriend, Robert William Custer II.

Custer is now in custody after being arrested this afternoon in Southwest Virginia by Giles County sheriff’s deputies.

The alert was issued for Virginia at 2:15 p.m. and canceled around 6 p.m. Authorities said Colin Nathaniel Custer and his mother, Renee Pennell-Rashell,  were abducted from Ocala, Fla., after a court-ordered visitation from the father.

Police said they believe Custer may have been headed to a home in Locust Grove, near Fredericksburg, when he was arrested.

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LEXINGTON, S.C. (AP) - Authorities have arrested a man in Virginia a day after his ex-girlfriend said he had abducted her and their son.
    Lexington County Sheriff’s Major Larry Shea said 45-year-old Robert William Custer, II was arrested Monday in Virginia.
    Authorities had issued Amber Alerts in South Carolina, North Carolina and Virginia for 4-year-old Colin Nathaniel Custer.
    Lexington County authorities found the boy’s mother locked in a gas station bathroom Monday morning. She told them the child’s father abducted them Sunday after a court-ordered visitation.
    Summerfield, Fla., resident Renee Pennell-Rashell says ex-boyfriend Robert William Custer placed a cloth over her mouth and nose and she lost consciousness.

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Our sister station WSPA is reporting that the South Carolina State Law Enforcement Division (SLED) says Robert Custer II has been caught in Giles County, Virginia, and the 4-year-old child Colin Custer, is OK.

WSLS has a crew on the way.  We’ve been able to find out that Virginia State Police played a role in the arrest, but U.S. Marshals and the Giles County Sheriff’s Office took the lead role.

We’ll bring you more information as we get it.

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South Carolina deputies say a 4-year-old boy was kidnapped at 6:30 a.m. this morning (Monday), and the kidnapper could take the boy to Virginia.

Virginia State Police issued an Amber Alert for Colin Nathaniel Custer.  Investigators believe Colin was taken by Robert William Custer II.  The kidnapping happened in Lexington County, South Carolina.  Police believe the child is in extreme danger.

Colin Custer

Colin is 3 feet tall, weighs 35 lbs., has hazel eyes, and short blond hair.  Colin was last seen wearing a short-sleeve gray shirt with blue and red stripes, blue shorts, and tan tennis shoes with blue stripes.

Police say Robert William Custer II is 45, stands 5 feet 8 inches tall, weighs 200 lbs., and has balding gray & blond hair.

Robert Custer III

Officers think Custer may be driving a 1988 white Chevrolet conversion van, with Florida license plate Q577ZE.  Investigators believe Custer is driving toward Locust Grove, Virginia, which is near Fredericksburg.

If you see them, call State Police at 1-800-822-4453.