Media

Kidnapping Suspect At Large In East Shelby County - Updated

Release Date: June 9, 2004

The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office is assisting with the search for an Olive Branch, Mississippi man who is suspected of kidnapping his former girlfriend today in Olive Branch. Shelby County deputies are searching for Jason Scott Vaiden, 30, who lives at 3580 Bethel Road in Olive Branch, Mississippi.

Officers say it all began about 6:30 this morning when Vaiden is accused of kidnapping his former girlfriend from her apartment in Southaven, Mississippi.

The woman, who later escaped from his vehicle at a Memphis convenience store about one o’clock this afternoon on Riverdale, was not harmed.

Memphis Police officers pursued Vaiden’s pick-up truck into Southaven, Mississippi. Officers there then chased him back into Shelby County where Shelby County deputies and other law enforcement officers pursued him into an area of East Shelby County.

Officers later found his abandoned truck in a field near Monterey and Reid Hooker. Vaiden is believed to have a pistol and possibly a shotgun. He is considered very dangerous. Officers are searching the neighborhoods surrounding the area where his vehicle was found.

Officers urge citizens to keep their doors locked and report any suspicious activity. Jason Scott Vaiden is White, has blonde hair, stands about 5 feet 8 inches, and weighs about 160 pounds.

Vaiden was last seen wearing a dark blue shirt with blue jeans. He is clean-shaven and has a tattoo on his right shoulder. Anyone with information about Vaiden is asked to call law enforcement officers immediately.

UPDATE: The man we were looking for is in custody. He was arrested in a wooded area near Reid Hooker and Macon Road about 6:55 p.m.. The man was taken into custody without incident. He was treated for heat exhaustion.