Nashville, Tennessee --- Tennessee State Troopers located a 15-year-old boy early this morning after an Amber Alert was issued for him in Michigan. The teenager was found with two men in a vehicle in the Wal-Mart parking, located at 1815 Decatur Pike, Athens, Tennessee.

Shortly after 4:00 a.m. (EST), Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) Sergeant Phillip Dunn, Trooper John Rogers, Trooper Joe Snipes and Trooper Larry Fowler were notified of the Amber Alert. They were also told that a cell tower in Athens was picking up a signal from a mobile phone believed to be with the missing teen.

The Troopers began searching area motels for a 2003 Pontiac Montana that the suspect was thought to be driving. The vehicle was reportedly stolen. Trooper Rogers spotted the SUV at approximately 8:00 a.m. (EST) parked in the Wal-Mart parking lot and called for back-up. The missing teenager and two men were inside the vehicle and taken into custody without incident.

The 15-year-old was reported missing Monday from Wayland, Michigan. The Wayland Police Department reported that the teen was allegedly abducted by Dana Lee Rider, a 24-year-old who is a convicted sex offender. Nineteen-year-old Kasey Griffen was also in the vehicle and taken into custody.

Rider and Griffen face charges for possessing a stolen vehicle. FBI agents in Michigan are expected to bring more charges against Rider.

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) is also assisting in the investigation.

The Tennessee Department of Safety's mission is (www.tn.gov/safety) to ensure the safety and general welfare of the public. The department encompasses the Tennessee Highway Patrol, Office of Homeland Security and Driver License Services. General areas of responsibility include law enforcement, safety education, motorist services and terrorism prevention.