In a remarkable display of community vigilance and quick action, employees of Camelback Moving Inc. in Phoenix, Arizona, played a pivotal role in the safe recovery of a missing 2-year-old girl, Kehlani Rogers, after recognizing her from an Amber Alert. The Amber Alert was issued on February 21 when Kehlani vanished from her Avondale home, allegedly taken by 23-year-old Marina Noriega, who had been staying with the family.
The following day, at a QuikTrip near 27th Avenue and Thomas Road, a security guard noticed Noriega and the child, promptly alerting the authorities and enlisting the help of the moving crew present at the store. Kevin Place and Ralph Vollmert, foremen of Camelback Moving, immediately identified the toddler from the alert. "Oh my God, that's her," Place recalled. "I knew we had to do something. I can't just ignore it."
The team quickly devised a strategy to block Noriega's vehicle with their trucks, preventing her from fleeing the scene. They also recorded the license plate and activated dashcams to capture the event, which later served as critical evidence. Phoenix police arrived within minutes, and Noriega was taken into custody without resistance. Kehlani was found unharmed and was soon reunited with her grateful parents.
Chad Olsen, president of Camelback Moving, commended his employees for their heroism. "We're not professional heroes, but their courage and quick thinking exemplify what it means to care for our community," he stated. The company has been proactive in preparing its staff for such scenarios through human-trafficking awareness training provided by Truckers Against Trafficking.
Authorities disclosed that Noriega had been using methamphetamine while caring for Kehlani and that they had slept outdoors during the abduction. Noriega now faces charges of third-degree felony custodial interference and is held on a $250,000 bond. Her criminal history includes prior arrests for various offenses, including robbery and drug-related crimes.
The success of this intervention underscores the critical role that everyday citizens play in child safety. Vollmert and Place have encouraged the public to pay close attention to Amber Alerts and to report any relevant information without delay. "This proves the system works when people are alert," they commented.
QuikTrip has also praised the attentiveness of its security guard, and the Avondale Police have expressed gratitude for the collaborative efforts of the crew, the store, media partners, and law enforcement at all levels. This incident serves as a powerful reminder of how ordinary citizens can make extraordinary impacts through quick thinking, teamwork, and attention to local alerts.
The Camelback Moving crew's response not only facilitated Kehlani's recovery but also set a precedent for community responsibility and civic engagement. It is a testament to the fact that while law enforcement leads the charge in protecting children, alert citizens are an indispensable line of defense. Programs like Truckers Against Trafficking, coupled with public awareness initiatives such as Amber Alerts, forge a vigilant network that empowers communities to act decisively when every second counts.
