PRESS RELEASE — On Monday, May 8^th the Orange County Sheriff’s Office was contacted by the Port Arthur Police Department in reference to a kidnapping that occurred in the Bridge City area of Orange County. The victim has been identified as 43 year old Jim Sharon Bearden, an Orange attorney.

Port Arthur police reported they were out with a subject in the 3200 block of Memorial who stated he had been kidnapped from his residence by 2 unknown males from his home in Bridge City. He was forced to travel with them, in his Chevrolet Suburban, to a bank in the Mid County area and withdraw a sum of money.

Orange County Sheriff’s Office Deputies and Detectives responded to Bearden’s location and also to his residence located on Dalton Drive just outside of Bridge City city limits. Video surveillance from the area shows a maroon or burgundy colored SUV, possibly a Chevrolet S10 blazer, in the area that is a possible vehicle of interest.

Bearden was said to be unharmed, but obviously shaken by this incident.

The Orange County Sheriff’s Office is following leads and gathering evidence as this investigation continues.

Anyone with any information regarding this crime is urged to contact the Sheriff’s Office at 883-2612 or CrimeStoppers at 833-TIPS or 833tips.com.