Fears for girl’s safety as kidnap suspect eludes search
Lloyd Jones |
Members of an outback community “absolutely know” the whereabouts of alleged kidnapper, as a massive search continues for a five-year-old girl.
A manhunt is under way for Jefferson Lewis, 47, who is alleged to have taken Sharon Granites from Old Timers town camp near Alice Springs late on Saturday night, six days after he was released from prison.
Police on Wednesday said items found at a crime scene near the town camp including a man’s shirt and a child’s underwear were being forensically examined and there was a possibility of a sexual crime.
Northern Territory Police Commissioner Martin Dole said police were imploring community members to come forward with any information that might lead to finding Sharon.
The smallest detail could be the one that unlocked the investigation, Mr Dole said.
“We believe that there are members of the community that absolutely know where Jefferson Lewis is,” he told reporters in Alice Springs.
If people were withholding information because they were frightened they should have confidence police would treat that information sensitively, Mr Dole said.
Assistant Commissioner Peter Malley said the longer the search took reduced the chances of finding Sharon alive.
“She may have come to harm, but we still think she’s alive and our number-one mission is to find her safe and well,” he said.
When asked if police considered a sexual offence had occurred, Mr Malley said it was “on the table”.
He warned anyone sheltering Lewis would face charges.
Scores of police officers, defence force members, Aboriginal trackers and community volunteers have been scouring tough desert terrain to find Sharon and her alleged abductor.
Alice Springs Mayor Asta Hill said a town council meeting on Tuesday night was opened with a prayer for Sharon and her safe return.
“There is intense worry reverberating through the whole community, it’s as though the whole community is holding its breath,” she told AAP.
The community had united over the past few days with a single purpose – to bring Sharon home safely, the mayor said.
Lewis is believed to have lured Sharon away after he was seen holding the little girl’s hand during a party at the camp.
Between 2016 and 2025, Lewis was sentenced to 64 months in prison for offences including aggravated assaults, breaching domestic violence orders, bail and resisting police.
NT Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro issued a stern message to Lewis to “hand her in, go to the authorities”.
“It’s very distressing, particularly for the family,” she told 2GB on Wednesday.
“I have just been looking at my phone waiting for a call from the police commissioner to tell me that they’ve found her.”
Sharon was last seen by her family when she was taken to bed about 11.30pm on Saturday, at the town camp of nine households and 40 residents.
She was reported missing about two hours later.
Police do not have a motive for the alleged abduction, but released more detail on what they believe happened before Sharon disappeared.
Sharon and her mother had been visiting a home at Old Timers to do some laundry, police said.
A social occasion was later held at the house where Lewis was staying.
Police were called out to the party, but no offences were detected.
They have since released images of Lewis captured on the night.
Lewis was probably under the influence of alcohol and police confirmed on Wednesday he was seen holding hands with the little girl about 11pm.
He allegedly led the girl towards an area that has been declared a crime scene – near Alice Springs Telegraph Station – and both have been missing since.
Police do not believe Lewis had access to a vehicle but did not rule out someone could be driving him around.
AAP