Abduction Arrest Comes As Relief For North Side Neighborhood

EVANSVILLE - The news of Jack Perkins III's arrest comes as a relief to that neighborhood where the attack happened not far from Garvin Park. The neighbors we talked to were on very much on guard.

After news of the abduction and assault broke Tuesday night, many on Evansville neighborhood began taking precautions; fearful the suspect would strike again.

Evansville Police chief Billy Bolin said, "We do have a child that was traumatized here in this."

Police say Perkins has been charged with child molestation and criminal confinement.

One neighbor told Eyewitness News, "It's scary anymore. you don't know who to trust in this world anymore."

Another said, "Scary. I wanted to make sure my alarm was on."

One mother told us, "This morning, we wouldn't let [our daughter] go out by herself. We went with her."

But once word broke Wednesday afternoon that an arrest had been made and police say the suspect confessed feelings of fear turned to relief and gratitude.

"I'm glad they got him."

"Great. Relieved. There's a lot of kids in the neighborhood and I'd hate for this to happen again to somebody else."

Police say several tips from the community helped lead them to Perkins in short order.

Chief Bolin said, during a news conference Wednesday, "We talk about a partnership between the police and the community and that's what lead us to making this arrest today."

Vanderburgh County prosecutor Nick Hermann says, "Bring the person to justice and we can also try to get a message out there to hopefully prevent these types of things from happening again in the future."

Again, police are asking for other victims to come forward.

If you have information regarding a case of child molestation in Evansville, you're urged to call the Evansville Police Department.

Since this is an on-going investigation, police are not releasing a mug shot of the suspect at this time.

We'll keep you updated.