NEDERLAND — Authorities searched Sunday for a man who they say abducted two hikers and tied them to trees.
Deputies responded to a report of the abduction about 6 p.m. Saturday near the 38000 block of Peak to Peak Highway in Nederland, said Boulder County Sheriff’s Office Cmdr. Rick Brough.
The victims, a 44-year-old man from Berthoud and a 32-year-old woman from Fort Collins, parked their vehicle next to the highway, also known as Colorado 72, and began hiking west, Brough said.
While hiking, they were confronted by a white man, about 40 years old and armed with a rifle. He was wearing a green Army shirt, camouflaged shorts, a floppy Army cap and black boots. A black bandanna covered part of his face.
The man fired a shot from his rifle and tied the couple to trees, Brough said.
The male victim freed himself and ran south to a populated area, where he called police. The woman was released and returned to the vehicle uninjured.
The man suffered bruising to his wrists from the restraints and a cut on his leg from falling during his escape, Brough said.
Deputies interviewed witnesses Sunday, but no arrest was made. The names of the victims weren’t released.
On Saturday night, Nederland residents received a reverse 911 call advising them to stay inside and keep their windows and doors locked. The University of Colorado Research Center on County Road 116 and the Rainbow Lakes campground in the Roosevelt National Forest were also evacuated.
People staying at the campground earlier told 9News that they were warned about the situation.
“All of a sudden, we see all these flashlights come on up, and the police have all their heavy machine guns and all that,” camper Jason Carruth told 9News. “They asked us if we knew what was going on. They just told us there was this guy running loose with a gun. They told us to keep a watch out.”
9News and Denver Post reporter Tom McGhee contributed to this report.
