Police in Tampa believe that Joshua Hakken, with the assistance of his wife, Sharyn-Patricia Hakken, invaded his 58-year-old mother-in-law Patricia Hauser’s home in Florida, tied her up at gunpoint, and kidnapped his two sons, Chase, 4, and Cole, 2, reports CFNews13. Local cops have issued an amber alert in the search for the two boys.
The parents are known survivalists in the Tampa area and have previously attended out-of-state anti-government rallies. Detectives are investigating the possibility that the Hakkens are traveling to California. Joshua Hakken told police in Louisiana after a previous arrest that he and his family had to make it out west due to the impending Armageddon. The Hakkens belief in doomsday is influenced by a series of fantasy books called Temple of the Winds.
NBC San Diego has begun reporting the concern that the Hakkens may be on there way “to California or Arizona.”
Here’s what you should know.
1. The Abduction Occurred Early Wednesday Morning
Patricia Hauser’s home at 14040 Shady Shore Drive, Tampa.
Police are operating from the theory that Chase and Cole Hakken were taken from their grandmother’s home, at 14040 Shady Shores Drive in Tampa, at around 6:30 a.m. Hauser was tied up while Joshua Hakken, 35, absconded with his two sons.
The Tampa Bay Times reports that Joshua Hakken waited until the boy’s grandfather, Robert Hauser, left for work before entering the home.
2. The Parents Stole the Grandmother’s Car
A 2009 Toyota Camry.
It’s believed that Joshua and Sharyn Hakken then stole Patricia Hauser’s 2009 Silver Toyota Camry and made their getaway. It was two hours before Hauser could free herself to call 911.
Detectives suspect that Sharyn Hakken, the boy’s mother, met her husband and sons a few blocks away in the family’s black pick-up truck.
3. Both Boys Are Believed to be Wearing Pajamas
This indicates that both boys were taken as they slept.
Chase Hakken is 3 feet tall, weighs 33 pounds, and has brown hair and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing pajamas. Cole Hakken is 3 feet 9 inches tall, weighs 44 pounds, and has brown hair and brown eyes. He was also last seen wearing pajamas.
4. The Parents Are “Armed and Dangerous”
Photo via Fox 13 Tampa.
A Hillsborough County Sheriff statement reads:
Both subjects are considered armed and dangerous.
It also states that law enforcement officials are seriously “concerned” for the safety of the two children.
5. The Hakkens Have a History of Anti-Government Activities
Joshua and Sharyn Hakken allegedly first lost custody of their children after they attended an anti-government rally in Louisiana in 2012. Joshua was arrested when found in possession of marijuana and other drug paraphernalia. According to NOLA.com:
Joshua M. Hakken, age 34 of 3609 S Sterling Avenue, Tampa, FL, was arrested for Possession of Marijuana, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Possession of a controlled dangerous substance in the presence of a minor…
Joshua Hakken is a registered forum user on “Adam vs. The Man,” the official site of libertarian activist Adam Kokesh. In his introductory post on the forum Hakken wrote:
6. The Hakkens Were Previously Implicated in a Gunpoint Abduction in Louisiana
Upon first losing custody of their children in Louisiana, Chase and Cole were placed in foster care in the state. At that time Joshua attempted to kidnap his children at gunpoint but failed. The incident occurred in Slidell, Louisiana. Detectives are looking into the possibility that the Hakkens may be returning to that area.
7. The Grandparents Have Legal Custody of the Two Boys
Last Tuesday, a Louisiana court terminated the parental rights of Joshua and Sharyn Hakken. These rights were turned over to the boys’ grandparents.
Officials said they still have unanswered questions about the family’s history and that they are working with Louisiana state officials and FBI agents to fill in the gaps of information.
8. Joshua Hakken is an Air Force Veteran
This appeared in the Ocala Star Banner in June 1996, showing Joshua Hakken as a speaker at the Renaissance Academy graduation ceremony.
Joshua Hakken was honorably discharged in 1998. Hakken spoke about his time in the USAF on this forum.
He is also a registered engineer in the state of Florida.
9. The Couple Were Believed to be Driving in Joshua Hakken’s Truck
It’s now believed that the Hakkens have switched their car from Patricia Hauser’s Toyota Camry, the Camry was found abandoned a few blocks away, according to the Sheriff’s statement:
The children could possibly be in a Black 2006 GMC Pickup registered to Joshua Hakken. Both suspects are anti-government and have attempted a previous abduction at gun point in Louisiana.
The theory is that Sharyn Hakken may have been driving the second car.
UPDATE:: Police discovered Joshua Hakken’s pickup truck in a garage in Madeira Beach, Florida, on Thursday night.
10. Law-Enforcement Are Calling This a “Parental Kidnapping”
The Hakkens’ home at 3609 South Sterling Avenue, Tampa, Florida.
Joshua Hakken is currently being sought in relation to the following charges:
Kidnapping – 2 counts
Interference in Child Custody – 2 counts
Child Neglect – 2 counts
False Imprisonment -1 count
Burglary with a Battery – 1 count
Grand Theft Auto – 1 count
Sharyn Hakken is not currently being sought in relation to any charges stemming from today’s incidents.