Family offers $10,000 reward
By Amber Cox
BURLINGTON TOWNSHIP — The family of missing high school student Sarah Townsend has offered a $10,000 reward for information leading to her whereabouts.
A full-day search, Monday and Tuesday of Green Acres Field off Old York Road turned up no evidence of the missing 18-year-old Florence resident whose car was found abandoned Monday morning.
Sarah was last seen by her parents, Roy and Lori Townsend of East Second Street, Florence, leaving for Allentown High School where she is a student. Her boyfriend reported her missing at 10 a.m. after trying to reach her by phone and discovering her car at Green Acres Field near Sherman’s Pond.
Lt. Bruce Painter said police were at the scene moments after the car was discovered and started organizing the search. Lt. Painter said the search was started so quickly because both Sarah’s purse and cell phone were discovered in her car.
”At this time we don’t suspect foul play,” Lt. Painter said Monday night. “Our investigation hasn’t led us to anything yet. The only reason we’re searching here is because this is where we located her car and there’s nothing (no evidence) to take us out of this area. It starts here.”
Police departments from all over Burlington County, including Bordentown Township, Florence, Palmyra and Medford, as well as Philadelphia, all joined in on the search.
Lt. Painter said more than 100 people were searching, along with dogs trying to track Sarah’s scent. A helicopter from the New Jersey State Police was also used to do an overhead search of the large area.
”This is a very wooded area with rough terrain,” Lt. Painter said. “There’s the pond that connects to Assiscunk Creek, which runs into the Delaware River. Luckily, nature is cooperating weather wise.”
Lt. Painter said Sarah’s family is helping with the investigation and giving as much information as possible to the police.
A Facebook group, “Find Sarah Townsend! Invite Everyone!” was created Monday night and as of Tuesday afternoon had over 3,000 members.
Messages for hope of a safe return flooded the page, with things like “Sarah if you can see this, please come home” and “All her friends in Florence are praying and (are) out at the park today!”
Sarah is described as 5-foot 4 inches with blonde hair, weighing about 105 pounds.
Anyone with information is being urged to contact Burlington Township police at 609-386-2019.