Executive Summary
- Joseph Andrew Bragg, 28, was arrested in Albert Lea following a statewide AMBER Alert.
- A missing 7-year-old girl was recovered safely during a traffic stop on Interstate 35.
- The suspect is currently held in Sherburne County Jail pending formal kidnapping charges.
A 28-year-old man from Maple Grove remains in custody after being arrested in connection with the kidnapping of a seven-year-old girl in Zimmerman, Minnesota. The incident, which triggered a statewide AMBER Alert, concluded early Thursday morning when authorities recovered the child during a traffic stop on Interstate 35 in Albert Lea.
According to the Sherburne County Sheriff’s Office, the suspect, identified as Joseph Andrew Bragg, is currently detained at the Sherburne County Jail. He is awaiting the formal filing of kidnapping charges regarding the abduction.
The timeline of events began when the child was reported missing after exiting a school bus around 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday. Her disappearance prompted law enforcement to issue an AMBER Alert across Minnesota at approximately 11:40 p.m., soliciting public assistance in locating the child and the suspect vehicle.
Law enforcement officials stated that at around 12:30 a.m. Thursday, the Albert Lea Police Department received intelligence regarding a vehicle traveling southbound on Interstate 35 that matched the description associated with the active alert. Officers successfully located and intercepted the vehicle in the Albert Lea area. Upon conducting a high-risk traffic stop, police recovered the missing girl and took Bragg into custody without further incident.
Following the rescue, the child was transported to the Mayo Clinic Health System in Albert Lea for a precautionary medical evaluation. Authorities confirmed she has since been reunited with her family.
Investigative Outlook
The rapid resolution of this case underscores the operational efficacy of the AMBER Alert system and the necessity of real-time coordination between local and regional law enforcement agencies. As the case moves from an active rescue operation to a judicial proceeding, investigators will focus on solidifying the timeline of the alleged abduction and the suspect’s movements between Zimmerman and Albert Lea. Prosecutors in Sherburne County will review the evidence collected during the arrest to determine the specific degree of charges to be filed. It is important to note that all individuals, including Mr. Bragg, are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
