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Caitlyn Frisina found safe in New York, authorities say

PHOTO GALLERY: Caitlyn Frisina, missing Florida teen  | Surveillance photos 

Caitlyn Frisina, the 17-year-old who has been missing from Columbia County for nearly a week, was found safe in central New York on Friday.

Frisina was found in North Syracuse, over 1,000 miles from Lake City. The 2001 red Mercury Sable in which she was riding was spotted by a New York State Police officer, and a traffic stop was initiated.

New York State Police said the Sable then pulled into a parking lot in front of a Subway.

"The car was then pinned by our vehicle. Investigator Green and along with the FBI and other investigators were able to take them at gunpoint. They were taken into custody without any incident," a New York State Police spokesperson said.

U.S. Marshals also assisted in the search, authorities said.

STORY: Missing Columbia County teen left home through window, police say

The search ends a days-long drama in which Frisina was discovered to have left her Lake City home with Rian Rodriguez, a 27-year-old soccer coach.

Rodriguez was taken into custody without incident. Frisina's parents have been notified, authorities said.

Frisina's dad Ward wrote on social media, "They have her in N.Y. She is safe and we are headed to get her."

Her mother Scarlet sent Action News Jax this statement: "We are thrilled to death that our daughter is safe and we are looking forward to seeing her."

"That was one of the best phone calls that I've made in my career," Sheriff Mark Hunter told Action News Jax of when he relayed the news to Frisina's family that she had been found safe.

Columbia County authorities have scheduled a 2 p.m. press conference for Monday, Dec. 4 to update the case.

Frisina is a senior at Fort White High in Columbia County. Authorities said this week that there may have been a relationship between her and Rodriguez, but if so, the two successfully hid it.

The pair had been suspected of being in the Northeastern United States. They had been seen along the I-95 corridor in Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina, but the last sighting was last Sunday.

Video: Parents of Caitlyn Frisina speak Columbia County

Missing teen Caitlyn Frisina, Colombia County CBS this morning Missing teen Caitlyn Frisina, Colombia County CBS this morning

Cox Media Group

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