ASU police are searching for leads in a possible kidnapping reported on the Tempe campus Thursday night.
A woman in her early 20s was reportedly forced from her seat on a bench into a dark-colored SUV driven by two men near the intersection of McAllister Avenue and Tyler Mall at approximately 7 p.m. Thursday.
The ASU Department of Public Safety has been in contact with three student witnesses and the professor who called 911 regarding the incident, said Manny Romero, an ASU spokesman.
Police are also looking through recent reports of missing persons, stolen vehicles and criminal cases with victims whose descriptions match that of the kidnapping victim, he said.
Police do not know if the victim or suspects are students, but witnesses reportedly said the victim did not have any books or a backpack with her.
One witness told police that "it didn't even appear as if she had a purse with her," Romero said.
The bench is located in the shadow of a tree in an otherwise well-lit area, Romero said.
"I think that might have made it more difficult for the witnesses to see and provide us with a more detailed description," he said.
But Romero said it was clear to witnesses that the incident did not appear to be a hoax of any kind.
"All of them said that this seemed like it was the real thing," he said, "because the female was screaming and struggling to get away from these men."
Police closed down a portion of McAllister Avenue for about two hours following the alleged kidnapping and noticed tire marks that suggested the suspects' vehicle sped away from the scene, Romero said.
If the incident is indeed a hoax, he said, the University is asking the individuals involved to contact DPS so that the kidnapping investigation can be called off.
The University is also asking any additional witnesses to contact DPS at (480) 965-3456.
"We are trying to get as many people who were here yesterday, if they saw anything, to call ASU police," Romero said.
Reach the reporter at brian.indrelunas@asu.edu.
ONLINE EDITOR'S NOTE: This story was modified from its original version March 12.
