CHASE and COLE HAKKEN - 2 and 4 yo - Tampa, FL

AMBER ALERT: Chase and Cole Hakken, 4 and 2-years-old, kidnapped by their parents, Joshua and Sharyn Hakken

2:21 PM, Apr 3, 2013

TAMPA, Fla. (WTSP) -- An Amber Alert has been issued after Hillsborough
deputies say two young children were abducted by their own parents.

According to deputies, 2-year-old Chase and 4-year-old Cole Hakken
were staying at their grandmother's home off the 14000 block of Shady
Shores Drive when their father, Joshua Hakken, showed up around 6:30
Wednesday morning.

Neither Joshua nor the boys' mother, Sharyn Hakken, have legal custody of the children.

According to the grandmother, Joshua tied her up and took off with the kids in her 2009 silver Toyota Camry.

An Amber Alert was issued for the children, and officials believe
they could now be traveling in a 2006 black GMC pickup registered to
Joshua.

Both suspects are anti-government and attempted a previous abduction at gunpoint in Louisiana.

The children have been described as follows:


Chase Hakken, 2-years-old:

• 3'
  
• 33lbs
  
• Brown hair
  
• Brown eyes
  
• Last seen wearing: unknown color of pajamas
  

Cole Hakken, 4-years-old:

• 3' 9"
  
• 44lbs
  
• Brown hair
  
• Brown eyes
  
• Last seen wearing: unknown color of pajamas
  

Anyone with any information regarding the location of these children
are asked to immediately dial 9-1-1 or call the Hillsborough County
Sheriff's Office at 247-8200. Both subjects are considered armed and
dangerous.
http://www.firstcoastnews.com/topstories/article/307093/483/AMBER-ALERT-Parents-kidnap-their-2-sons-from-Tampa

Amber Alert: Woman tied-up, grand kids abducted

Posted: Apr 03, 2013 3:16 PM EDT







HILLSBOUROUGH COUNTY, FL

(WFLX) - Investigators in Hillsbourough County say a grandmother was
tied up and her two grandchildren were taken.

Four-year-old Cole and 2-year-old Chase Hakken were reportedly abducted by their parents.

Investigators say 35-year-old Joshua Michael Hakken and 34-year-old Patricia Hakken are considered armed and dangerous.

Detectives believe the children could possible be in a black 2006 GMC pickup truck.

http://www.wflx.com/story/21872188/amber-alert-grandmother-tied-up-parents-take-kids

Amber Alert: Boys taken in Tampa by father

Posted: April 4, 2013 - 8:09am
TAMPA — Authorities are searching for two young boys they believe were kidnapped from their maternal grandparents' Florida home after their grandmother was tied up.

An Amber Alert has been issued after Hillsborough deputies say the boys were abducted by their own parents.

According to deputies, 2-year-old Chase and 4-year-old Cole Hakken were staying at their grandmother's home off the 14000 block of Shady Shores Drive when their father, Joshua Hakken, showed up around 6:30 Wednesday morning.

Neither Joshua Hakken nor the boys' mother, Sharyn Hakken, have legal custody of the children.

According to the grandmother, Joshua tied her up and took off with the kids in her 2009 silver Toyota Camry.

An Amber Alert was issued for the children, and officials believe they could now be traveling in a 2006 black GMC pickup registered to Joshua.

Both suspects are anti-government and attempted a previous abduction at gunpoint in Louisiana.

The Tampa Bay Times reports that Joshua Hakken lost custody of his sons last year after a drug possession arrest in Louisiana, and that authorities said he later tried to take them from a foster home at gunpoint. The newspaper said the children had been living with their grandparents since last year, and that the Hakkens were informed Tuesday by a Louisiana court that they'd been stripped of their parental rights.

Amber Alert black truck used in abduction found in Madeira Beach

Posted: 10:36 PM

Last Updated: 4 hours and 50 minutes ago


MADEIRA BEACH, Fla. - Hillsborough County deputies have confirmed that a black truck allegedly used in the abduction of two brothers has been located in Madeira Beach.

The 2006 GMC pickup truck was located abandoned in the John's Pass Parking Garage located at 12901 Gulf Blvd.

HCSO detectives and crime scene technicians are processing the vehicle.

Pinellas County deputies initially responded after someone reported seeing a vehicle that matched a description on Amber Alerts issued across the Southeast. Four states issued the alerts including Florida, Georgia, Alabama and Tennessee.

Chase and Cole Hakken were still wearing their pajamas when deputies say their own parents took them by force from a Lake Magdalene home.

Listen to the grandmother's 911 call at http://wfts.tv/10zPqyb .
"The grandfather had left for work. The break-in occurred shortly after -- that's when he accosted her, tied her up and then took off with the children in the car," said Corporal Bodie.

Just two and four years old, the brothers lived with their grandparents, who had temporary custody.

FBI agents are working with local law enforcement to find the two- and four-year-old and their parents. They say color billboards are going up around the Southeast and Southwest.

Detectives also say they've received tips about several sightings of the Hakken family in several different states. Authorities in Southeastern Tennessee put out a statewide Amber Alert Wednesday night after a reported sighting near Etowah, Tennessee in the area of Highway 30 and Highway 411. The location is on the edge of the Smoky Mountains.

"We have at this point received tips from various states alleging sightings of the children and family. We are working with our law enforcement partners and the FBI and trying to vet those tips and see if it is accurate information," said Colonel Lusczynski.

"We don't expect or anticipate them hurting the children and we're hoping again that this just comes down to a very peaceful situation where we can resolve the situation and potentially maybe even put the family back together," said FBI Special Agent Dave Couvertier.

Louisiana Police says Joshua and Sharyn Hakken lost custody of the boys after a bizarre encounter in 2012. A Slidell Police Department detective tells us by phone they were called to a disturbance at a hotel.

"Mr. Hakken was in possession of narcotics and he had some weapons with him. At that point in time, he was placed under arrest," said Slidell Police Detective Daniel Seuzeneau.

"They were speaking some bizarre words that alarmed our officers. They were talking about going to California and when I read the report yesterday, it was something towards the effect of they were trying to beat the Armageddon and get to California which was, obviously, very bizarre," he said.

Louisiana detectives say the couple told officers they were trying to beat "Armageddon" and "complete their ultimate journey." They also say the father tried to kidnap the boys at gunpoint from a foster care home in Louisiana but failed.

Law enforcement has characterized the couple at "anti-government" but aren't sure where they are headed or why.

"Anytime something like this happens there's usually at least one person that knows something that's going on and we're hoping that that person will come forward and at least provide some advice or even some input or perspective as to the mindset of what they're really looking to do here," said FBI Special Agent Couvertier.

http://www.abcactionnews.com/dpp/news/region_south_pinellas/madeira_beach/amber-alert-black-truck-used-in-abduction-found-in-madeira-beach#ixzz2PcnEyxT1

MADEIRA BEACH, Fla. (WATE) - The vehicle authorities were searching for in an AMBER Alert in East Tennessee was found in Florida Thursday, but the search continues for the two missing boys.

The AMBER Alert is for Cole Hakken, 4, and Chase Hakken, 2, both from Tampa, Fla. and remains in effect in Florida.

Because there no longer appears to be a Tennessee connection to their disappearance, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has deactivated the Tennessee AMBER Alert that was issued Thursday.

Florida authorities are still searching for Cole and Chase Hakken, who were allegedly kidnapped from their custodial grandmother on April 3.

TBI had issued a statewide AMBER Alert Thursday because the parents were said to be traveling in a 2006 black GMC Sierra with the Florida license number U95KT.

That vehicle was possibly spotted in Etowah, Tenn., but Thursday evening WFTS-TV reported the vehicle was discovered in Madeira Beach, Fla.

Florida investigators told ABC affiliate WFTS-TV in Tampa that the boys' father Joshua Hakken went into the home early Wednesday morning after the grandfather had left for work.

Officials believe the boys' biological mother, Sharyn Hakken, may have been waiting outside in a vehicle.

Joshua Hakken allegedly tied up the grandmother, Patricia Houser, took the boys and fled in Houser's 2009 Toyota Camry.

The car was found several blocks away.

The Hakkens reportedly lost custody of the boys to the grandparents after the state of Louisiana took the children away following a series of incidents.

WFTS-TV reports that the couple lost custody of the boys after Joshua Hakken was arrested for drug possession in the presence of the children at an anti-government rally in Louisiana.

"Apparently there was some concern there that they had the feeling that their parental rights were taken away," FBI Special Agent Dave Couvertier with the Tampa Division said. "That's something that they didn't want to happen."

He later tried to abduct the children from a Louisiana daycare at gunpoint, but was unable to get inside and fled the scene.

The children were handed over to their grandparents sometime in 2012.

Authorities believe the parents are armed and dangerous.

"We're working around the clock and we're focusing on the safe return of the entire family," Couvertier said.

The family has no connection to Tennessee.

"No one needs to be hurt, the kids, even the parents," Couvertier said. "I think with a little bit of, with guidance, I think they can resolve this issue in the best way possible for everyone."

Chase Hakken is described as 3' tall, weighing 33 lbs., with brown hair and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing pajamas.

Cole Hakken is described as 3'9" tall, weighing 44 lbs., with brown hair and brown eyes. He was also last seen wearing pajamas.

Joshua Hakken is described as a white male, 35 years old, 5'9" tall, weighing about 175 lbs., with brown hair and brown eyes.

Sharyn Hakken is described as a white female, 34 years old, 5'4" tall, weighing about 150 pounds, with brown hair and hazel eyes.

Anyone with information regarding the vehicle or the children was urged to call the TBI at 1-800-TBI-FIND or the Hillsborough County Florida Sheriff's Office at 813-247-8200.

http://www.wate.com/story/21881238/vehicle-linked-to-amber-alert-spotted-in-east-tennessee

Amber alert boat






911 call released in Tampa Amber Alert case


Photos: Man bought boat before children kidnapped




Missing Tampa boys




Joshua Hakken's truck found in Madeira Beach
Download the WFTV Eyewitness News iPad app




HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. —


A man wanted in connection with the kidnapping of two boys from a
Tampa-area home bought a boat recently, according to the Hillsborough
County Sheriff's Office.

Investigators said they received information that Joshua Hakken recently purchased a 25-foot sailboat called "Salty."

The sheriff's office provided photos of the boat. They said they don't know the location of the boat.

A vehicle belonging to the family was found Thursday in a St. John's parking garage, investigators said.

Hillsborough County sheriff's investigators are looking for Cole Hakken, 4, and Chase Hakken, 2.

According to investigators, their father, Joshua Hakken, went into a home on
Shady Shores Drive early Wednesday morning, where he tied up Patricia
Hauser, the children's maternal grandmother. Investigators said he took
the children and left in Hauser's 2009 Silver Toyota Camry.

Along with that discovery, the 911 call Hauser made was released.

"My son-in-law just kidnapped my two grandchildren. They've been in my, uh,
state custody. They're under the state custody. He's not supposed to be
near them. He's been missing for nine months. He tied me up. I was able
to remove myself with a pair of scissors, but they've been gone about a
half an hour," said Hauser.

It was discovered later that Hakken
was driving a 2006 GMC Sierra, which was found abandoned in a parking
garage in Madeira Beach.

On Thursday, the Tennessee Bureau of
Investigation issued a statewide alert after the car the children were
believed to be in was thought to have been spotted in the southeast part
of the state.

According to investigators, Joshua and Sharyn
Hakken are anti-government and have attempted a previous abduction at
gunpoint in Louisiana.

Investigators said the two are considered armed and dangerous.

The boat is described as a 1972 Morgan 25 sailboat with a blue bimini top
and white mainsail. The boat deck and cabin are white and the hull is
blue with "Salty" and a paw print in white on both sides with a white
stripe near the waterline, bearing Florida Boat Registration #FL3717BK,
HUL #M252099. There is possibly a yellow horseshoe life preserver on
deck, investigators said.

If you have any information on the
whereabouts of the children, please contact the Hillsborough County
Sheriff's Department at 813-247-8200 or call 911.

The Associated Press contributed to this report

It's believed that they took the boys to Cuba. Don't know where I read that but it was posted somewhere.
William

Yes, it's been all over the news here. I'll post an article when I have time.

Florida couple and kidnapped sons, which prompted TN Amber Alert, now in Cuba

Apr. 9, 2013 12:44 PM


This undated photo provided by the Hillsborough County Sheriff's
Office shows a 25-foot sailboat that was recently acquired by Joshua
Michael Hakken. / AP Photo/Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office

A Florida couple suspected of kidnapping their two sons from the
woman's parents in Tampa have fled by boat to Cuba, according to Florida
authorities.

The boys had been living since last year with their maternal grandparents, who were granted permanent custody a week ago.

The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office alleges that Joshua Hakken entered
his mother-in-law's house north of Tampa on Wednesday, tied her up and
fled with his sons, 4-year-old Cole and 2-year-old Chase.

The sheriff's office has issued an arrest warrant for Hakken on charges of kidnapping and several other counts.

Hakken lost custody of his sons last year after a drug possession arrest in
Louisiana, and he later tried to take them from a foster home at gunpoint, authorities have said.
Authorities have previously characterized the Hakkens as "anti-government."

The sheriff's office says it has received information that the Hakken
family had arrived by boat in Cuba. Investigators say they're working
with the FBI and the U.S. State Department to verify reports.

CNN's Patrick Oppmann, reporting from Havana, said he saw the Hakken family
at a marina, but they refused to talk to him. He reported that the
father, mother and one child was spotted. He quotes Hakken as saying
only that the children are "OK."

CNN said the family appeared to be setting up to live on the boat as their home.
Cuba does not have an extradition treaty with the United States.

The U.S. Interests Section in Cuba released its own statement, saying it is
aware of this case and it is in contact with local authorities.

"U.S. officials are providing all appropriate assistance to the family," the
statement said. "Because of privacy reasons, we are unable to provide
any additional information. One of the department's highest priorities
is the welfare of U.S. citizens overseas. This is particularly true for
children, who are our most vulnerable citizens. The department works
with parents and foreign governments to resolve these difficult cases."

Detectives suspect Hakken, an experienced sailor, had drawn up an elaborate
getaway plan, buying a boat a few weeks ago that can accommodate four
people comfortably, WTSP-TV reported.

A truck that Hakken, wife Sharyn and the boys had been traveling in was found late Thursday,
abandoned in a parking garage in Madeira Beach. Authorities say they had
been searching the entire Gulf Coast from Pensacola to the Florida
Keys, and the Intracoastal Waterway. An Amber Alert for the boys was
issued in Florida, Louisiana, Tennessee and other states.

WTSP-TV quoted a South Tampa attorney, Ralph Fernandez, as saying that the U.S.
can do "absolutely nothing" to get the Hakkens back in their custody if
the Cuban government does not want to cooperate.

Fernandez notes that American fugitive, Joanne Chesimard, a Black Panther activist
convicted of killing a state trooper in New Jersey in 1973, fled to Cuba
after escaping prison and "still flaunts her presence in Havana."

President Raul Castro, Fidel Castro's brother, however, has sent back a few
American fugitives, WTSP notes. Among them was Leonard Auerbach who was
deported to face federal charges in California of sexually abusing a
Costa Rican girl and possessing child pornography.

http://www.tennessean.com/article/20130409/NEWS08/304090075/Florida-couple-and-kidnapped-sons-which-prompted-TN-Amber-Alert-now-in-Cuba

This has been all over the local news since it first broke.

Tonight they reported that Cuba would return them to the US. Don't know the source.

They must have a lot of money to just ditch vehicles and buy this boat.

There must be more to this story. They don't usually take custody of the children when someone is arrested for drugs. Hmmm.

twinkletoes wrote:This has been all over the local news since it first broke.

Tonight they reported that Cuba would return them to the US. Don't know the source.

They must have a lot of money to just ditch vehicles and buy this boat.

There must be more to this story. They don't usually take custody of the children when someone is arrested for drugs. Hmmm.

Twinkletoes, I was thinking the same thing about them taking custody like that. It made me think of Ruby Ridge. And also the comment from the FBI about them wanting to resolve this and possibly re-unite the family...seemed strange.

ladibug wrote:

twinkletoes wrote:This has been all over the local news since it first broke.

Tonight they reported that Cuba would return them to the US. Don't know the source.

They must have a lot of money to just ditch vehicles and buy this boat.

There must be more to this story. They don't usually take custody of the children when someone is arrested for drugs. Hmmm.

Twinkletoes, I was thinking the same thing about them taking custody like that. It made me think of Ruby Ridge. And also the comment from the FBI about them wanting to resolve this and possibly re-unite the family...seemed strange.

Ladibug, we're always in sync.

Couple accused of abducting kids returned to Florida, placed under arrest

Early this morning a government plane returned Chase and Cole Hakken to U.S. soil after they were allegedly kidnapped by their parents, Joshua and Sharyn, from their maternal grandmother and taken to Cuba. Their parents have been charged in the kidnapping. NBC's Kerry Sanders reports.

By Matthew DeLuca, Staff Writer, NBC News

The couple accused of running off with their two young sons, causing a massive search that ended in Cuba on Tuesday, has returned to the United States and been placed under arrest.
Joshua and Sharyn Hakken were arrested by the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s office in Florida and jailed on charges that included child neglect, kidnapping, and burglary, according to records maintained by the sheriff’s office.

Their two boys, ages 2 and 4, were expected to be returned to their grandparents on Wednesday. The boys' grandfather, Bob Hauser, thanked authorities for the wide-ranging, multi-state search that brought the two boys home.

“We are very appreciative of that, and it was very, very comforting to my wife and I to know that that was going on,” Hauser said.
Police say Joshua Hakken tied his mother-in-law up around 6:00 a.m. last Wednesday in Tampa and drove off with the two children, who were still in their pajamas. After ditching a black pickup truck that was later recovered by police, the Hakkens apparently boarded a blue 25-foot sailboat and left John's Pass Marina in Madeira Beach, Fla., bound for Cuba.
News cameras caught a bearded Joshua Hakken with his wife in Havana on Tuesday before authorities turned the couple and their kids over. The family did not appear to be in distress when spotted at the city’s Marina Hemingway, though a heavy Cuban security presence limited access to the docks.

The Cuban Ministry of Foreign Relations decided to turn the couple over to U.S. authorities early on Tuesday morning.

“After news reports surfaced of the Hakken couple’s association with a kidnapping case, the Cuban authorities communicated their presence in the country,” ministry official Johana Tablada said in a statement. The ministry exchanged information with the U.S. Interests Section in Havana “to try to guarantee the integrity and well-being of those minors,” he said.

The U.S. Interests Section in Havana acknowledged the safe return of two young children in a statement, but declined to go into specifics.

“Tonight, thanks to a joint effort of the Department of State, FBI, and U.S. Coast Guard, two U.S. citizen children are safely on their way home,” the Interests Section said in a statement. “We would like to express our appreciation to the Cuban authorities for their extensive cooperation to resolve this dangerous situation quickly.”

This frame grabbed image provided by Baynews9 shows Sharyn Hakken being processed for booking into the Hillsborough County Jail early Wednesday morning.

http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/04/10/17686622-couple-accused-of-abducting-kids-returned-to-florida-placed-under-arrest?lite

I'm so glad the boys are safe. He has the look of a killer that would kill his children. If I can't have them you can't type. I have not generally liked Cuba but they can be commended in this case. They did what was right for the children and that's the most important thing. William