A candlelight vigil for Samantha Koenig is set for Saturday, 10 days after police say the 18-year-old barista was abducted from the Midtown coffee hut where she worked.
The gathering is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. at Town Square Park downtown, said Koenig's father, James. City officials waived the $400 fee to use the park, according to the Mayor's Office.
Police say an armed man forced Koenig out of the Common Grounds Espresso shack at 630 E. Tudor Road about 8 p.m. Feb. 1. The pair walked west, police said.
Nobody has reported seeing Koenig since.
On Thursday, a week after detectives deemed Koenig's disappearance an abduction, police spokesman Lt. Dave Parker reported a team of detectives was making progress in their investigation. Parker wouldn't say how they'd advanced the case.
"Additional leads have come in and they've been very helpful," Parker said. "So they're working on those ... I think they're going to ultimately help in solving the case."
Detectives are still looking for information from the public, especially anyone in the vicinity at the time, Parker said. They, along with anyone who may have information on Koenig's whereabouts, are asked to call 786-2460.
Meantime, Anchorage's many coffee stand workers are wondering what they can do to stay safe.
Police and Perkup Espresso are inviting baristas, waitresses and bartenders to a safety training session from 8 to 10 p.m. Feb. 21 at the Anchorage Police Department Training Center, 3760 W. Dimond Boulevard. Those planning on attending are asked to email espresso_hire@yahoo.com.
Reach Casey Grove at casey.grove@adn.com or 257-4589.
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