LUMBERTON — The FBI now is offering up to $25,000 for information regarding the kidnapping of Hania Noelia Aguilar.
The scope of people who qualify for the reward also has been expanded, C. Andrew de la Rocha, a FBI supervisory senior resident agent, said Tuesday. The original reward of up to $15,000 was for information that led to the finding of the 13-year-old girl, and that qualification still holds. The increased reward also is for information that leads to the arrest and prosecution of the person or persons involved in the kidnapping.
The FBI reward is in combination with the $5,000 being offered by the state of North Carolina for information that leads to the finding of Aguilar.
Aguilar was kidnapped Nov. 5 while she waited outside her home in Rosewood Mobile Home Park, located at 3525 Elizabethtown Road in Lumberton, to be driven to Lumberton Junior High School. A witness reported seeing a man dressed all in black and wearing a yellow bandana over his face force the teenager into an SUV and drive away with her. The green Ford Expedition was found Thursday off Quincey Drive near Alamac Road and has since been processed for evidence.
Investigators are working around the clock and following every lead, Lumberton Police Chief Michael McNeill said. Investigators continue to ask for anyone who thinks they may helpful information to call the dedicated tip line at 910-272-5871 or the Lumberton Police Department at 910-671-3845.
The investigation proceeds as if Aguilar is alive, de la Rocha said.
