Wed Sep 24 01:00:00 UTC 2025: **News Article:**

**Amber Alert Issued, Missing Teen Found Safe in Thornton; Suspect in Custody**

**By Maddie Rhodes and Heather Willard**

**DENVER (KDVR) -** A 16-year-old girl who was the subject of an Amber Alert issued early Tuesday morning has been found safe in Thornton, Colorado. A suspect, identified as 19-year-old Juan Manuel Bretado-Lopez, is in custody.

The Amber Alert was activated after the girl was reported missing on Monday evening from her residence on 19th Street in Boulder. The Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) initially reported she was last seen being “forced” into a two-door grey truck around 8:30 p.m.

Law enforcement agencies, including the Boulder Police Department and CBI, worked through the night, following up on leads and utilizing Flock license plate cameras to track the suspect’s vehicle, described as a cream or white 2007 Chevy Silverado. Community tips also proved invaluable in the investigation.

Just before 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, the CBI announced that the girl had been found safe. She was located in Thornton.

“We’re so thankful this young woman was found safe and unharmed after we received such a scary call initially,” said Boulder Police Chief Steve Redfearn. He credited the tireless efforts of officers and detectives, as well as the assistance of Thornton Police and Flock technology, in bringing the case to a successful conclusion.

Bretado-Lopez was detained and transported to the Boulder Police Department, where the investigation is ongoing and interviews are being conducted. The police did not immediately release details on potential charges. Authorities initially suspected a second unknown male was in the vehicle.

The Silverado had been last seen on Monday night near Thornton Parkway and Gale Boulevard in Thornton.

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