Nevada Amber Alert: Cole Puffinburger
October 16, 2008 by impqueen
UPDATE 10/19/08 -Cole Puffinburger has been found SAFE in Las Vegas.
At about 11:30 EST last night, a citizen called police about a little boy walking the streets in Las Vegas. When police arrived to get the child, they found that he was Cole Puffinburger. Cole was taken to a hospital to be checked out but appears to be relatively unharmed, at least physically. Details at the bottom of this article.
Las Vegas, NV - Early Wednesday morning, six-year-old Cole Puffinburger was kidnapped from his Las Vegas home by two or three armed Hispanic men posing as police officers. At least, that’s the story police got when they were called yesterday by Cole’s mother.
Cole Puffinburger and Clemens Tinnemeyer
She reported that three men had knocked on the door of the family home at about 7:15 a.m. and identified themselves as police. When she let the men into the home, they demanded money from Cole’s grandfather, who hasn’t lived in the home since 2007. When told that the grandfather did not live at the home, the men tied up Cole, his mother, and her boyfriend, and ransacked the house. When they didn’t find money, the mother reported, the men took her son at gunpoint.
Um.. what?
Thing is, this crime happened in a well populated area. As Steve Huff pointed out at his blog, that neighborhood is not exactly rural. And we’re expected to believe that nobody saw three Hispanic guys rolling around with a towhead-blond six year old little boy? Something’s rotten in Vegas, kids. Particularly since nobody has been able to describe a getaway vehicle, or even determine for sure whether there were two guys, or three.
Only one suspect was even been described last night. He’s said to be in his thirties, 5′7″, 150 pounds, Hispanic with slicked-back shoulder-length dark hair and brown eyes, wearing jeans and a white t-shirt, and speaks with a Mexican accent. Just this morning, a vague description of the second abductor was released: early thirties, 5′9″, with a thin build, wearing a tan, red and brown shirt with vertical stripes. It’s not known what role, if any, the third guy played in Cole’s kidnapping. At this point he is described only as Hispanic or Latino.
An Amber Alert took several hours to issue because there wasn’t even a marginal suspect description until noon yesterday. The Alert now encompasses southern Nevada and parts of California and New Mexico. And Cole Puffinburger has vanished into the desert air, it seems. With no vehicle description, it’s like this little boy has dropped off the face of the earth.
Is it possible that armed men showed up at the house, demanded money, and kidnapped a child at gunpoint? Sure, it’s possible, if someone owed enough money to the wrong people, or if the child had been spotted from a distance some time before. Is it likely? My Imp-sense says there’s more to this story than we’ve heard.
Cole Puffinburger is six years old. He’s 3 feet, 11 inches tall and weighs about 48 pounds. His mother says he was last seen wearing a black John Cena t-shirt under a black hoodie sweatshirt with skulls on it, dark jeans, and black Vans tennis shoes. He also had on his silver-rimmed glasses. Cole has blond hair and blue eyes. If you see him, call 911.
UPDATE 10/17/08 - Police now say that there is a “significant drug link” between the family of Cole Puffinburger and the alleged kidnappers. Steve broke it before the press did, but police say that they are looking for Clemens F. Tinnemeyer, Jr. – Cole’s grandfather – in connection with Cole’s abduction. Apparently Grandpa Tinnemeyer owes a drug cartel somewhere between $8 million and $20 million dollars. Well, there’s your motive, denizens. As of this afternoon, Cole has not been located.
UPDATE 10/18/08 – Clemens F. Tinnemeyer, Jr. has been arrested in Riverside, California. Tinnemeyer has been called a “person of interest” in Cole’s abduction, which is believed to be a “message” sent to Tinnemeyer by the cartel. Cole remains missing. Federal agents say they are hopeful that Cole is still alive.
UPDATE 10/19/08 - At about 11:30 EST last night, a citizen called police about a little boy walking the streets in a neighborhood northeast of the Strip in Las Vegas. When police arrived to get the child, they found that he was Cole Puffinburger. Cole was taken to a hospital to be checked out but appears to be relatively unharmed, at least physically.
Now that Cole is safe, the investigation into his kidnapping will continue, along with the investigation into the drug ring and extortion that sparked Cole’s abduction. Jesus Gastelum remains a person of interest in the case. No word yet on what will happen to Cole’s grandfather, Clemens Tinnemeyer. He is not a suspect in his grandson’s kidnapping but was being held as a material witness due to his theft of millions of dollars from the drug dealers that took the boy.
As per usual, I’ll update as any new info comes in.
2:34 am on October 16th, 2008
kinda does sound like there is more of a story..
2:48 am on October 16th, 2008
W.T.F does this mean???…towhead-blond
2:56 am on October 16th, 2008
it means really, really blond.
towhead. Dictionary.com. Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1). Random House, Inc. http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/towhead (accessed: October 15, 2008).
3:46 am on October 16th, 2008
just to let you know, i live here in vegas and was in the area earlier and there were people handing out flyers. a friend of mine lives in that area, which i visit frequently. there is a school bus stop just down the block, which is usually pretty busy in the morning. something doesnt just stink, its reeking. this is a pretty nice area, not that bad things dont happen in nice areas, but somebody shouldve seen something. and this is the first i heard of a grandpa. this town is fucking scary. i need to get a big ass dog and a big ass gun. i just hope they find him. wtf do they want him for? i will post if i hear anything
3:50 am on October 16th, 2008
AMBER Alerts have been issued in Southern California and New Mexico for Cole. Arizona is issuing a “Media Advisory†for Cole. from the nv amber alert website. oh yeah, the girl that handed me a flyer told me it was a home invasion gone bad. whats a home invasion gone good?
5:36 am on October 16th, 2008
I smell a fucking rat. In fact, I smell three most likely non-existent armed Hispanic rats. I hope I’m wrong, I really do, because I’ve had just about all the lying, baby-killing, scumbag parent stories I can take.
9:02 am on October 16th, 2008
Me, too! Think she and Casey Anthony may meet before this is over.
9:30 am on October 16th, 2008
Rory a little boy is missing, and you’re worried about what “Towhead” means?? WTF?? How heartless are you?
I will be praying for this this little boy, he looks like so many first graders do in my grandsons school.
And yeah, Imp, I agree with your radar. Something is not right with this story…….
10:35 am on October 16th, 2008
Why wouldn’t they issue an amber alert because they didn’t know what the suspects look like, they know what the little boy looks like? I hope this turns out ok, but agreed with everyone something is missing…..also I know that there are a lot of hispanics/latinos (is there a difference? Seriously wondering, not trying to sound racist) in the Las Vegas area so it seems like a likely suspect to blame since they would be hard to find – Maybe???
10:50 am on October 16th, 2008
I also agree, something here is fishy. I just hope they find that little boy alive and well. Praying for his safe return.
10:52 am on October 16th, 2008
I have heard this expression my whole life, I always knew it meant really blond. My grandpa uses it to describe my two boys, one of which is just about the age of this little guy.
God bless this sweet baby, I hope he is ok, but that story don’t sound right. How could anyone hurt a sweet child?? Just look at that smile…precious!!
11:05 am on October 16th, 2008
Are they looking in the right places for this child? I am a feeling Zenaida Gonzalez took this one too!
Man, hope they find him and quick, and well
11:34 am on October 16th, 2008
Is the grandfather someone famous or wealthy that we should know of? How pick that house, ask for the Grandfather that doesn’t live there anymore…she (the mother) is insinuating that this has something to do w/ her dad?! Is he in the mob? I mean, who goes to someone’s house @ 7:15 am, cannot locate the person they are looking for so instead they kidnap a kid? Retarded. She IS going to be meeting up w/ Casey Anthony in child killer HELL, fucking selfish bitches. I hope they find this little boy alive. Please…
11:44 am on October 16th, 2008
Sounds hinky to me. First clue is, its mom and her boyfriend. There are just way too many mothers who kill their kids when the new penis does not want them around.
A kidnap by 3 Mexicans in daylight, a grandfather gone since 2007. Hmm. Just how ransacked was that house? Lets hear about the possible criminal record of mom and current bf.
More to come, and probably a shallow desert grave for another sad, abused child.
1:24 pm on October 16th, 2008
Hope they release more about mom, b/f, and grandfather (who doesn’t even live there anymore).
This almost sounds like a very bad CSI/Without a Trace episode, like they didn’t bother to watch the ending.
Very troubling.
3:21 pm on October 16th, 2008
Uh Oh, this stinks to high heaven. It smells an awful lot like Susan Smith. I sure hope that little boy is OK, but I do have my doubts.
3:37 pm on October 16th, 2008
I have to agree with this statement…I always wonder how long it takes these parents to come up with these stories and where they get their ideas from…I really hope I am wrong but it just sounds like a very badly made up story…
4:11 pm on October 16th, 2008
According to KVBC and local police that this was diliberate act. Whether it has to with mom directly, heard that dad may have something to do with, or a “grandfather” is still a secret…shhhhhhh!
4:27 pm on October 16th, 2008
Something in this story stinks….this is so not the truth! Either the parents know where the kid is, or they did something. Sorry to sound so cinical, but time and time again we hear these “stories” & then the parents end up being the suspects. I pray to God, I am wrong…but I doubt it.
4:43 pm on October 16th, 2008
I know the family and there is definitely more to the story. The grandfather is mixed up in something bad, I don’t know exactly what but I know they’re telling the truth. Other family members are afraid for what will happen to them, I just hope his grandfather comes out from whatever rock he has crawled under so poor Cole can come home.
His parents are NOT to blame for this! I blame his grandfather for being the ass that he is and not taking care of whatever mess he has gotten into this time so his family would be safe. His daughter has no contact with him, but look what she has to go through now. It’s crazy, sad and scary. I’m praying Cole gets home safe, and soon!
6:45 pm on October 16th, 2008
Echoing what JustSomeoneShort said, there, I went looking and found a comment on another site that seems… at once interesting and bad bad news.
I quote: Look people there is so much more to this story than is being reported and no the mother is not involved in any way. I know this family personally. The three hispanic men are part of a mexican drug cartel. The grandfather of this little boy is a piece of shit drug smuggler, he stole money from the drug cartel and they are taking this boy in retaliation in hopes that the grandfather will come out of hiding and give himself up the money up or whatever , I do not know. I do know the boy is obviously in great danger and it is all because his grandfather decided to steal money from the wrong people. This boy was targeted because they have been unable to track him down and they could easily find his daughter and her son and we all know how these drug cartels work. The mother had received threats from these people a few months back but has no contact with her father so was unable to do anything about it. I assume there is good reason that the police are not reporting all these details but I assure you that this little boy is missing and the mother or boyfriend have nothing to do with it. I know this sounds like it is out of a movie but it is the sad truth. The money they were looking for was a very large sum in the millions stolen from the cartel. So now that you know this it should make sense that taking the grandson might encourage the thieving grandfather to come out of hiding which is what I think they are hoping for. Pray for this little boy and most importantly be on the lookout for him.
Posted 10/16/2008 at 05:14:54 AM
7:53 pm on October 16th, 2008
The people who kidnapped that precious little boy may just kill him to get even with the grandfather.
I pray for the safe return of little Cole.
8:29 pm on October 16th, 2008
This story doesn’t quite add up, but I hope that Cole is found safe (although I have my doubts, sadly). Cute little boy– the picture of Cole looks like my husband as a kid.):
10:16 pm on October 16th, 2008
Wow. Very scary and sad. I’m not one to judge. It’s certainly obvious that this little boy is in grave danger and he needs to be found soon.
10:35 pm on October 16th, 2008
LadyEridan (are you a gamer, by the way??)–Interesting–thanks for posting that!
And impqueen, I can see why you wrote this article in the first place. Does sound fishy. There are so many stories where the parents did a baaaad thing and try to cover it up with a story to the tune of “the hispanic (or, usually, black) dude took my kid.”
I hope he’s found, and soon!
(I was totally the kid with glasses, so I always feel especially poignant about little dudes and dudettes with glasses
11:39 pm on October 16th, 2008
hey, Sugarglider, I am in fact a gamer – catch me in DC, i’ll be idling, if you wanna chat.
I’m really worried about this one. I get the feeling the kid is probably already dead. The Mexican cartels do not f**k around.
12:02 am on October 17th, 2008
I don’t know why, but my first feeling upon reading this was that it was going to wind up being the result of some shady dealings of the grandfather. Maybe I watch too many movies.
As for why noone else in the neighborhood noticed? I don’t know for sure, but I can tell you this…
My neighbor just moved out because his house has been burglarized 4 times in the last 6 months in broad daylight. We live on a small circle, surrounded by retirees that are home all day, either out doing yard work, walking their dogs, or gossiping with neighbors.
I myself am home the majority of the day with my office window open. Not to mention there is a policeman less than 4 houses down who’s wife makes it her business to keep an eye on everyone coming in and out of the neighborhood.
Noone saw a damn thing.
And these crooks didn’t just steal any old thing…they stole four of my neighbor’s guns, including his shotgun and hunting rifle.
I hope like hell they find this little boy alive. I can’t even imagine how terrified he must be.
12:23 am on October 17th, 2008
It definitely seems suspicious to me that no one is able to provide a decent description of the three men. I suppose I’ll just have to wait and see what happens next, though. In the meantime, I’ll be praying for Cole.
12:32 am on October 17th, 2008
I really hope the grandfather steps up… I would give give my life for my kids if that’s what it would take.
1:52 am on October 17th, 2008
People please don’t judge you definitely don’t know the whole story. Please keep in mind there is a innocent little boy missing and in danger and a family who loves him and is worried sick. If this was you the last thing you would need was people accusing you of things that aren’t true. The point of all of this is to find this little boy and bring him home safely. I would like to remind everyone that kidnappers often change a child’s appearance so it is easier for them to move around with them. If these people are planning on taking him across the border it is highly likely they will not keep his blonde hair and may even remove his glasses. So don’t just be on the lookout for a blond boy with glasses look for a scared boy with three men who may fit the description or even one just be on the lookout for something that doesn’t look or seem right, this is how crimes are solved everyday and this is how we can bring these poor kids home. Please just remember they may get creative so just think they probably will change his hair to a dark color to have him fit in with them but you can tell a dye job so look for it. Look for anything that may help bring this boy home, ANYTHING!!! Also I think finding the grandfather is the key but lets try everything possible to insure this boy gets back to where he belongs.
8:44 am on October 17th, 2008
I hope you’re wrong LadyEridan, I want him coming home safe and sound. You’re right though, Mel, they may have changed his appearance. They are probably also not out anywhere with him. My guess is that they never left the area and are holding him somewhere, probably in touch with the grandfather to let him know. If only the grandfather were in touch with the rest of the family that might make a difference. This is a horrible situation and I’m just hoping his grandfather decides to be a decent human being (for once) and help bring him home.
9:49 am on October 17th, 2008
JustSomeoneShort, I hope I’m wrong too. This kid deserves to be back with his family.
ConcernedCitizen – d’you ever watch that show about how to make your home more safe? with the two jackasses that break into your house with your permission to show you where the security holes are? they all say the same thing, the key is looking like you belong there. if you don’t arouse suspicion by skulking, you can get away with a lot.
and Mel123 – please, if you know more about the situation and can share without putting yourself or a potential case at risk, feel free to enlighten us. We often have family members sharing information that they can safely share. Like any other group of people, we can only make our decisions and form our opinions on what information we have. If you think we’re out of line being concerned because what we’ve been able to find says that this may be a revenge kidnapping because of the actions of the grandfather, please, please add to what we know! imperfect information leads to imperfect conclusions.
11:40 am on October 17th, 2008
Yay for gamers
Mel–we all hope he is found safe and sound!
11:41 am on October 17th, 2008
I really don’t think it’s that odd that nobody had an accurate description of the perpetrators. For one if they were dressed as cops, then sometimes that’s kind of all you see the uniform. And I don’t know maybe it’s just me, but if someone was holding a gun to my kids head, I wouldn’t be looking at the guy tying me up, I wouldn’t be looking at the guy with the gun, I’d be looking at my child, trying to make eye contact and give them even the slightest bit of security that “mommy is here it’ll be okay” kind of thing. My eyes would not leave there face. Maybe that just me.
I hope they find him and bring him home safe and unharmed. Poor little guy.
2:37 pm on October 17th, 2008
The abductors weren’t dressed as cops – at least, not given the description above. Nope.
Now police are looking for Clemens Tinnemeyer, Cole’s grandfather, in connection with the case. It appears he’s into a drug cartel for somewhere between $8 million and $20 million. Well, that’s motive right there.
2:40 pm on October 17th, 2008
$8 – $20 million, good lord!
2:51 pm on October 17th, 2008
I have indeed. That show is definitely an eye opener.
Good grief, that’s alot of money. Let’s hope the grandfather values his grandson’s life more than his own because with that much money, I seriously doubt this will be resolved without someone getting hurt. I just hope it’s not Cole who has to pay the price.
4:22 pm on October 17th, 2008
If indeed the cartel is involved it is likely this child isn’t even alive anymore. Oh, God I hope I am wrong but the chances are slim even if he is alive that he will survive to see his family again….he is only a pawn they don’t see him as a helpless, frightened child.
Sweet boy only six and already caught in the middle of adult dangerous, bullshit. I will pray for this little one….I hope all of the prayers going out on his behalf are answered.
5:37 pm on October 17th, 2008
It is such a shame to not have mercy on a child. I think children should not be pawns, bargaining chips…. HANDS OFF CHILDREN……They should be neutral zones in all areas!
8:40 pm on October 17th, 2008
I’ve been praying and trying to watch for every bit of news concerning little Cole. I’m praying he’s ok, and that he’s still alive and not being terrorized.
But I have a really bad feeling this isn’t going to turn out well, I hope i’m wrong. Children should be completely off the table as targets in these wars. But sadly, these monsters don’t care who gets caught in the middle.
I wonder if his grandfather even cares?? I’d offer myself up for my kids or grandchildren. Where the hell is he hiding? Fucking coward………
9:17 pm on October 17th, 2008
I sadly knew there was more to this than some off the wall home invasion robbery. No one robs a house gets nothing and than takes a kid Hell you can’t sell the kid so that is not likely to happen.
I pray to God this child is ok but with a Cartel involved sadly it offers little hope. Send the child home and shoot granpa damn it why hurt a lil boy who had not a damn thing to do with this shit.
I will keep praying though that this works out for the best.
9:44 pm on October 17th, 2008
I know what I have read on other blogs. I wish I knew more that could help find him because I would shout it from the rooftops. I thought of the change in appearance thing because of things others have said about how 3 mexican men with a blonde boy would definitely stand out and a blonde, blue eyed boy would for sure stand out in Mexico. I also remember a woman that once took a girl from Disneyland and took her into the bathroom there and died her hair immediately before attempting to leave the park with her. Luckily she was caught but I always think of this when children go missing, that their appearance is often altered to keep them from be recognized. If I think of anything else that may help I will definitely post. In the meantime people if you have a myspace or facebook post this Amber Alert on there, also maybe write new media outlets to report this more or write to Nancy Grace to pick this up Nationally, I know I already did (make sure she knows the parents are not involved she does have a way of jumping to false conclusions and crucifying innocent parents, but her exposure is priceless)
10:43 pm on October 17th, 2008
-took the words straight from my mouth as I read the update! Grandpa, you fucking coward, show your face for this baby’s sake, ASSHOLE!!! How DARE you hide and let this sweet child pay your debt, you worthless, sorry human being!!! Ughhh…..
7:05 am on October 18th, 2008
Saturday update. Nice people.
LAS VEGAS, Nevada (CNN) — The man wanted for questioning in the drug-related abduction of his 6-year-old grandson in Las Vegas, Nevada, has been apprehended in California, a dispatcher for a San Bernardino County detention center said early Saturday.
A nationwide Amber Alert has been issued for Cole Puffinburger, 6, of Las Vegas, Nevada.
The dispatcher, who did not give her name, said Clemens F. Tinnemeyer, 51, was arrested late Friday night in Riverside, California.
Earlier Friday, Las Vegas police said they wanted to question him in the case of his grandson’s abduction.
Cole Puffinburger was snatched from his Las Vegas home Wednesday by three armed men who tied up the boy’s mother and her fiance.
Police Capt. Vincent Cannito told reporters that Tinnemeyer has been involved in “significant drug dealing” worth millions of dollars.
Tinnemeyer owns a sightseeing motor home service and works as a driver, police said.
He was last seen in Las Vegas on May 21. At the time, he was driving a white Dodge extended-cab pickup with Mississippi license plates KA6251.
He last contacted his family in August and was reported missing in September.
Authorities said Thursday that the case is related to “illegal narcotics activity” and that the family was targeted; Cannito said Friday that Cole was kidnapped by drug dealers attempting to recover lost money and property.
“These are extremely dangerous people,” Cannito said. “This is as bad as it gets.”
At least two of the three suspects posed as police officers to enter Cole’s home about 7:25 a.m. Wednesday, police said. They tied up the boy’s mother and her fiancé and ransacked the house before kidnapping the boy when no money was found, they said.
In a story published Friday, The Las Vegas Review-Journal quoted unnamed sources as saying a member of the boy’s family owes a Mexican drug cartel between $8 million and $20 million, describing the relative as an alleged money launderer for the cartel and saying the person was in hiding.
A search for the boy spans much of the American Southwest, and a nationwide Amber Alert was in effect.
Cole is described as being 3 feet 11 inches tall and weighing 48 pounds, with blond hair and blue eyes. He was wearing a sweat shirt, dark jeans and silver-rimmed prescription glasses, authorities said.
The kidnappers were described as three Hispanic men who spoke with heavy accents.
National and local authorities have said that such drug-related abductions are occurring more frequently in communities near the Mexican border.
Anyone with more information is asked to call Las Vegas Metropolitan Police at 702-828-5678.
10:00 am on October 18th, 2008
Tow used to be used in making ropes. It’s a very light colored fiber.
So the Mexican drug cartel is bringing its “culture” to our culture. Poor little kid. Damn the grandfather for putting his entire family in danger over drugs and money.
10:21 am on October 18th, 2008
Just came over to give the update,
.
I live near Riverside. Spooky. Trade the pathetic Grandpa for Cole.
I’d love to know how LE traced him and got him out here.
10:34 am on October 18th, 2008
Where’s the outrage? Lets see how the national media covers this. Where’s our lovely fucking politicians? Shit, we Americans accept so much bullshit! We just bend over and take it over and over and over again.
11:04 am on October 18th, 2008
Don’t look for any help in this election. Both the empty suit and the old geezer are going to give 20 million more illegal aliens amnesty. This country has been well and truly ratfucked by our sleazy politicians and big business. Maybe we should all move to Mexico, its going to be empty soon, they are all up here.
11:45 am on October 18th, 2008
its b/c there is really no good way to fight it.. as long as there is money to be had there will be drug dealers.. and what the hell is with his grandfather? 20-million?? how do you fuck up that bad? thats a damn lot to owe a drug dealer… poor kid… had nothing to do with any of this.. just so sad.. i hope he’s ok….
12:02 pm on October 18th, 2008
from what i have read on another crime site he was laundering the money and stealing as it was being done,truck loads of small bills brought into nevada and his job was to cash them into larger bills at casinos,hotels etc and send back to the drug cartel,well he was skimming and now they want the money but he left his family and ran leaving them the target!nice father/grandpa eh??who the hell is stupid enough to steal that amount of money especially from the mexican drug cartel!!!!i have heard enough on news lately of 12-13 bodies piled on top of each other killed by mexican drug guys!!but i am really shocked by the fact they took this child,i am a real addict at reading REAL crime stories and have for yrs and i have to say most any crime syndicate(sp) doesnt hurt children,,so this is disturbing to see things turning this way
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