UPDATE: Police launch new large-scale search of N.J. park where 5-year-old Dulce Alavez went missing

The reward for information about Dulce Maria Alavez, the 5-year-old New Jersey girl who went missing Monday while playing in a park, has increased to $35,000 as of Friday morning.

The FBI and Cumberland County Prosecutor’s Office have each contributed $5,000 to the reward total, along with $15,000 from private businesses. The New Jersey State Police Benevolent Association announced Friday it was adding $10,000 to the reward as authorities enter the fifth day of the search.

Newfield National Bank has offered $10,000 reward. Tortilleria El Paisano, a Bridgeton tortilla bakery, was the first to put $5,000 toward the reward for information leading to Dulce.

“We know that members of law enforcement are working tirelessly with people throughout the community to find this little girl,” PBA President Patrick Colligan said in a statement Friday morning. “We are hopeful that offering a reward today will help lead to her safe return. "If anyone has any information that will help lead to the location of Dulce Alavez, please call local law enforcement or the FBI hotline.”

Searchers gathered along side of roadway as they prepare to enter a wooded area in Bridgeton City Park on Friday morning as part of the ongoing efforts to locate missing 5-year-old Dulce Maria Alavez.Matt Gray | For NJ.com

Police from multiple agencies convened early Friday on the football field at Bridgeton High School as searchers prepared to again comb Bridgeton City Park, where Dulce went missing around 4:20 p.m. Monday while playing with her 3-year-old brother. The high school is near the park and a New Jersey State Police helicopter is parked on one of the athletic fields.

Groups of State Police troopers and officers in fatigues searched various parts of the park Friday morning. The officers were gathered in groups of 10 to 20. They concentrated their efforts on heavily wooded areas.

Breaking: Massive law enforcement briefing before sunrise under lights at football field at Bridgeton High school as biggest search team yet gets briefed before hoping to cover every inch of Bridgeton City Park where 5 yr old Dulce Maria Alvadez vanished ⁦@FOX29philly⁩ pic.twitter.com/tvjpisJy5p — Steve Keeley (@KeeleyFox29) September 20, 2019

Dulce’s mother and an 8-year-old relative were in their car about 30 feet from the play area when the girl went missing.

An Amber Alert was issued by State Police late Tuesday, more than 24 hours after she went missing, after interviews with witnesses revealed the girl may have been taken by a light-skinned Hispanic male. He is described as between 5-foot-6-inches and 5-foot-8-inches tall, with a thin build, acne and no facial hair. He is believed to have led Dulce to a red van with sliding doors.

Dulce is approximately 3-feet, 5-inches tall with brown eyes and brown hair. She was last seen wearing a yellow shirt with a picture of an elephant, black and white pants and white shoes.

A vigil is scheduled for 7 p.m. Saturday at the park.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the State Police’s Missing Persons Unit at 609-882-2000, ext. 2554 or the Bridgeton police at 856-451-0033.

Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JeffSGoldman.

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