PHOENIX – A quick-thinking crew from Camelback Moving played a pivotal role in the safe recovery of 2-year-old Kehlani Rogers, who was the subject of an Amber Alert issued after her disappearance from Avondale on February 21st. The dramatic rescue unfolded at a Phoenix QuikTrip on February 22nd, when employees recognized the child and her alleged abductor, 23-year-old Marina Noriega, and took action to prevent their escape.
The Amber Alert was triggered after Kehlani Rogers was reported missing from her home near 118th Avenue and Thomas Road around 8 a.m. On February 21st. Authorities believed she was with Marina Noriega, and the alert quickly spread across Arizona, prompting widespread public awareness. The case took a concerning turn when a tipster reported seeing Noriega and Rogers near Friendship Park in Avondale, and later in Maricopa, where Noriega reportedly mentioned plans to travel to California by train, according to reports.
The break in the case came when a security guard at a QuikTrip near 27th Avenue and Thomas Road recognized Noriega and Kehlani Rogers at approximately 7:30 a.m. On February 22nd. The guard immediately alerted Camelback Moving employees who were at the location, initiating a coordinated effort to secure the suspect until law enforcement arrived.
Moving Crew Blocks Suspect’s Vehicle
Foremen Ralph Vollmert and Kevin Place of Camelback Moving were at the QuikTrip getting coffee and snacks when they overheard the security guard’s call to 911, reporting a possible abduction in progress. “Oh my God, that’s her,” one employee exclaimed, recognizing the pair from the Amber Alert. The Camelback Moving team swiftly decided to use their trucks to block Noriega’s vehicle, effectively trapping her in the parking lot. They also obtained her license plate number to relay to authorities.
“Our trucks are 28, 30 feet long, so we knew it was a excellent idea to put the truck there just as there’s just no where you could head after that,” Vollmert and Place said. The employees described a sense of urgency and concern for the child’s well-being, stating, “It just breaks our heart because we have kids ourselves…nobody ever wants a kid to be a harm or to be hurt or to be mistreated.”
Community Response and Police Intervention
Camelback Moving President Chad Olsen praised his team’s actions, stating, “This is definitely the first time we’ve ever blocked somebody in where the entire city and county and state are firmly behind us and happy we did so.” Olsen also noted that the company had recently implemented human-trafficking awareness training for its employees, equipping them to recognize and respond to potential trafficking situations. NBC New York reported that the training prepares movers and truckers to identify signs of human trafficking.
Phoenix Police arrived on the scene within minutes and took Noriega into custody without incident. Kehlani Rogers was safely recovered and reunited with her parents. Prosecutors revealed during Noriega’s February 23rd court appearance that a glass pipe was found on her person during the search, and she admitted to using methamphetamine the day before, according to Arizona Central.
Ongoing Investigation and Custodial Interference Charge
Noriega is being held on a $250,000 bond and faces a third-degree felony charge of custodial interference. Police stated that Noriega was a recent acquaintance of the Rogers family, and the circumstances surrounding the abduction remain under investigation. The child’s parents reported that Noriega had been staying with them temporarily before disappearing with their daughter, and allegedly told detectives she believed Kehlani Rogers was her long-lost child.
Kehlani Rogers was reported to be scared but unharmed after being reunited with her parents. This incident serves as a powerful reminder of the effectiveness of the Amber Alert system and the importance of community vigilance. Authorities continue to investigate the full scope of the incident and any potential motives behind Noriega’s actions.
As the investigation continues, authorities will focus on understanding the events leading up to the abduction and ensuring the safety and well-being of Kehlani Rogers. The case highlights the critical role that ordinary citizens can play in assisting law enforcement and protecting vulnerable children.
What are your thoughts on this incredible rescue? Share your comments below and help spread the word about the importance of staying alert and supporting our communities.
