Latest news with #ColumbiaHeights
Yahoo
15 hours ago
- Yahoo
Search for Manny Collins: Columbia Heights teen last seen 1 month ago
The Brief June 8th marks one month since 16-year-old Manny Collins went missing in Columbia Heights. Investigators believe he went missing against his will. The Anoka County Sheriff's Office revealed Friday, that investigators are searching an Elk River landfill in hopes of finding evidence that could lead them to Manny. COLUMBIA HEIGHTS, Minn. (FOX 9) - It's been one month since Columbia Heights teen Manny Collins went missing under circumstances that, police believe, were against his will. Timeline A mom has been without her son for a month now. On May 8, Manny Collins was last seen in Columbia Heights at49th and University. That was the last time Ashley Berry heard from her son Manny. "His last text from me was at 4 a.m., that he liked my message about the allowance. He said, thank you, Mom. I appreciate you. I love you. I'll see you soon," said Berry on May 28 at an Anoka County Sheriff's Office news conference. Manny was reported missing on May 12th. An alert went out for him on the 19th. On May 28, the story echoed across Minnesota, as his mother made a plea for her son to come home. "16 year olds don't just disconnect the way Manny did via social media. So I would say we're all convinced he's disappeared against his will," said Anoka County Sheriff Brad Wise on May 28. The backstory The Anoka County Sheriff's Office was at the apartment building where Manny Collins was staying with his father. Investigators say he was last seen in Columbia Heights with his father. Our cameras were there, as investigators removed items from Manny's father's apartment. That same day, Fox 9 spoke to Manny's uncle. "My nephew is missing and the last person he was seen with, it's not rocket science, we're not building rockets man it's common sense. He's yelling I need a lawyer I need a lawyer," said Mike Wilson, Manny's Uncle on May 29th. Local perspective In their latest briefing on Friday, investigators revealed that they had begun searching the Elk River Landfill on Wednesday, looking for further evidence that could help find Manny. "When we're looking for something, we might end up having to contact, say, if it was a home over here, where does their refuse go? And that would lead us to go to a certain landfill," said Wayne Heath, commander with the Anoka County Sheriff's Office on Friday. Investigators say they have a person of interest but would not disclose who it is. Manny's mother told us on Friday that she is overwhelmed, as she has no information on where her son might be.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Yahoo
Manny Collins search: Residents asked to check for suspicious items
The Brief Manny Collins has been missing for nearly a month, without many clues or answers as to what happened. Authorities are asking residents in the 4900 block of University Avenue to check their property for anything suspicious, and to check cameras for any sightings of Manny or anything suspicious. Authorities believe Collins is missing against his will. His mother spoke with FOX 9's Karen Scullin this week. COLUMBIA HEIGHTS, Minn. (FOX 9) - The search for missing Columbia Heights teen Manny Collins is nearing a month, without many answers or clues to find him. What we know Thursday, authorities told FOX 9 they are asking any residents in the 4900 block of University Avenue Northeast in Columbia Heights to check their property for any suspicious items. They're also asking anyone with home or business surveillance footage showing Manny, or anything suspicious between May 8-12 to submit it to the Anoka County evidence portal. Authorities say they have conducted public and private property searches, and used dogs in some of those searches, to look for any clues. Authorities also say they've tried to contact Manny's father about his disappearance. Law enforcement believes Collins went missing against his will, and they have a person of interest who is not being named. There have been no arrests or charges in the case. What they're saying FOX 9's Karen Scullin sat down with the mother of the missing teen as authorities continue to search for answers in the case. "I'm being strong for my son. I know I can't go crazy right now because I have to find him," said Berry. At the time of his disappearance, Collins was temporarily staying with his father, and Berry called him looking for her son. At first, she explained she wasn't overly concerned. What you can do Authorities say Collins' disappearance is an ongoing investigation with combined efforrts from the Columbia Heights Police Department, Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, Federal Bureau of Investigation and Anoka County Sheriff's Office. Anyone with an information about Manny's disappearance is urged to contact the BCA Tip Line at 1-877-996-6222 or
CBS News
30-05-2025
- General
- CBS News
Mother of missing Twin Cities teen, believed to be taken "against his will," pleads for his safe return
A worried Minnesota mother says she hasn't heard from her teenage son in weeks. Jordan "Manny" Collins Jr., 16, vanished while visiting his father in Columbia Heights on May 8. Investigators think someone took him "against his will." "This is out of the norm for him," Collins' mother, Ashley Berry, said. Berry says she can't sleep or eat, and is worried about her only child. "My mind is racing all over the place. I want to believe that my son is still here in the state and physically here, but it's hard as the days go by to think that," Berry said. She says Collins has plans and rarely misses a day speaking to her, his grandmother or his girlfriend. "He has a job interview for plant fitness. He would have checked on his grandma, me and his girlfriend. He's a lady's man and he loves his Mom," Berry said. According to Berry, her son has taken on the role as head of the household. "He feels like he must be the man and protect the rest of his family. You're 16 and I want you to be a kid as long as possible. That's not your job. But that's him. That's his personality," she said. Berry says Collins did not like to worry her, so he always made sure to be positive about everything. "Wednesday before he went missing, he said he was taking a walk to clear his head, and I'm trying to check on him, and I asked, 'Is there anything you want to talk about?' And he said, 'No, do you want to talk about anything? " Berry said. Her concern is that Collins hasn't used a phone or social media since he disappeared. For now, she is holding on to hope because so many people are searching for him. "Even his old friends he hasn't seen in months, they've called me, like, 'What do you need me to do?" Berry said. She is asking for the public's help. "If you see something, say something, " Berry said. And praying for the safe return of her son. "Just come home, just come home," she said. Police say they do have a person of interest in this case, and they've collected forensic evidence. Investigators are asking neighbors to check their yards or cameras for anything suspicious.
Yahoo
30-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Disappearance of Manny Collins: Uncle of missing teen speaks out
The Brief Investigators collected evidence from the apartment where missing 16-year-old Manny Collins was last staying with his father, as the search for the teen continues. Manny's uncle, Mike Wilson Jr., believes the teen is alive and possibly being held against his will. He accuses Collins' father of not cooperating with the investigation. Authorities are still following leads and may conduct formal searches with additional help in the coming days. COLUMBIA HEIGHTS, Minn. (FOX 9) - Investigators returned Thursday afternoon to the apartment building where 16-year-old Manny Collins was last known to be staying with his father, walking out with what appeared to be evidence bags as the search for the missing teen continues. What they're saying "I love him, and I'm not letting up. I'm not letting up," said Mike Wilson Jr., Collins' uncle. Wilson said he believes his nephew is still alive but may be held against his will. He has reached out to his estranged brother—Collins' father—but said his brother is not cooperating with investigators. "My nephew is missing, and the last person he was seen with—it's not rocket science," Wilson said. "We're not building rockets, man. It's common sense. He's yelling, 'I need a lawyer, I need a lawyer.'" Wilson said he and Collins have a close relationship and speak frequently. He said Collins never indicated that his father was violent, but noted the two have had disagreements about religion. It remains unclear if those differences are connected to the teen's disappearance. "If you've got a soul, if you've got a heart, why would you want to be a part of something like that?" Wilson said. "Why would you even want to put somebody through that?" The Anoka County Sheriff's Office said Thursday that investigators are continuing to follow leads and are working to identify potential search areas. The agency said it may request additional assistance for future formal searches. "All roads point to one thing," Wilson said. "I just want my nephew to come and enjoy his summer so we can do these bike rides and go to the lake, man, and just chill. That's what he likes to do, and that's what I like to do." The backstory Collins has been missing for nearly three weeks. He was last seen on May 8 in the area of University Avenue and 49th Avenue Northeast in Columbia Heights. Collins' mom, Ashley Berry, said he was staying with his father at the time. Collins is 5-foot-8 and 140 pounds with black hair and brown eyes. He was last wearing a ribbed tank top with red/black plaid pants. Coordinated searches have been conducted around the neighborhood and at nearby parks, but Collins has not been located. Authorities say forensic evidence has been collected and is currently being processed. READ MORE: Disappearance of Manny Collins: What we know so far Investigators interviewed several individuals, including Collins' father, but law enforcement would not comment on whether he was cooperating. Anoka County Sheriff Brad Wise said they have some investigative leads and a person of interest in Collins' disappearance. He would not identify this individual to "protect the integrity of the investigation" but said so far, this person has "not been helpful." No one has been arrested or formally charged. The sheriff added that they don't believe there is a threat to the community, and this incident is specific to Collins, but "nothing is off the table at this point."
CBS News
28-05-2025
- General
- CBS News
Family of missing Columbia Heights teen to join officials in sharing new details
New charges in Feeding Our Future fraud, and more headlines New charges in Feeding Our Future fraud, and more headlines New charges in Feeding Our Future fraud, and more headlines The family of a missing 16-year-old Columbia Heights, Minnesota, boy will be joined by law enforcement Wednesday afternoon to share new details and call on the public for more information. Earlier this month, the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension issued an endangered missing person alert for Jordan Dupree Collins, Jr. He was last seen May 8 on the 4800 block of University Avenue Northeast. The Columbia Heights Police Department and the Anoka County Sheriff's Office are investigating. Both agencies will be holding a news conference at 2 p.m. with the family to "share investigation updates with the community, as well as request any related information the public may have." The news conference will be streamed on the sheriff's office Facebook page. "Collins has no vehicle and is not with any known family members," the BCA alert said. "He has no similar history or known medical issues." Collins is described as 5 feet 8 inches tall, 140 pounds with black hair and brown eyes. No clothing description was provided. Jordan Dupree Collins, Jr. was last seen on May 8. Minnesota BCA Officials say Collins is commonly known by his nickname, Manny. Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to contact the BCA's tip line at 1-877-996-6222 or send an email. This story will be updated.
