Los Angeles: On Tuesday, November 4, 2003, at about 10:00 p.m., an Amber Alert was issued on 10 year-old Sharie Renee Simmons, she was described as a female, Black, long black hair, 4"2’, 75lbs, wearing pink pajamas and glasses. Sharie was last seen at her residence located in the 3600 block of Justin Court in the city of Palmdale.

Sharie was last seen in the company of her cousin Duran Edward Lyles, a 33 year-old, male, Black, a known narcotics user and a registered sex offender.

On Wednesday, November 5, 2003, at about 7:00 a.m., officers from the Los Angeles Police Department’s Foothill Area, following a citizen’s tip, were informed that the vehicle described in the Amber Alert was seen in the area of Laurel Canyon Boulevard and Bradford Street. Foothill patrol officers located the van absent Lyles and Simmons. The officers continued to search the area and located the two at a gas station located at Osborne Street and the Golden State Freeway. Duran Edward Lyles was taken into custody and Sharie was placed in protective custody.

This investigation is on-going and being handled by the Los Angeles County Sheriff Department‘s Major Crimes Bureau.

This press release was prepared by Public Information Officer Grace Brady, Media Relations Section, 213-485-3586.