Cops Search for Kidnapped Boy's Grandfather
Police say men kidnapped a 6-year-old during a drug-related home invasion.
Oct. 17, 2008 — -- Police say they are searching for the grandfather of a missing 6-year-old boy who was allegedly kidnapped by men posing as police officers.
Las Vegas Police said the boy's grandfather, 51-year-old Clemens Tinnemeyer, is a person of interest in Cole Puffinburger's disappearance.
Tinnemeyer last contacted a family member Aug. 22 from Tennessee and has not been heard from since, according to police. He was reported missing Sept. 11.
Authorities believe Tinnemeyer may have been involved in drug dealing with Mexican nationals, said Las Vegas Police Officer Bill Cassell, adding that the boy's kidnapping may have been a "message."
Puffinburger was taken at gunpoint from his home Wednesday morning, according to police, who said "significant money and drugs" were involved in the case.
Las Vegas Police Detective Glenn Brook said the quantity of drugs involved was still unclear, as was the connection between the kidnappers and Cole's family.
"The family was targeted for specific reasons, but those reasons are still to be determined," he said. "The preliminary indications are that it was connected to drugs."
Cole's parents could not immediately be reached for comment. His father, Robert, does not live with the boy and his mother. Henry Simpson, the boy's great-grandfather, said, "The whole family is torn up on this. We don't know a whole lot about it."
The names of Cole's mother and her boyfriend were not available.
According to police, two Hispanic men identified themselves as police officers in order to get into Cole's home. Once inside, they tied up the boy's mother and began looking for money.
The boy was last seen wearing blue jeans, Vans sneakers, a black shirt and a black sweatshirt. He is 3 feet, 11 inches tall and weighs 48 pounds.
One of the men was described in an Amber Alert as having black, shoulder-length, slicked-back hair. He is in his early 30s, about 5 feet 7 inches tall and about 150 pounds.
Anyone with information is asked to call Las Vegas police at 702-828-5678.
