Police are searching for a man wanted in connection of harassing and attempting to kidnap a 13-year-old Lake Elsinore girl as she walked home from school on Tuesday May 1.
Composite sketch of man suspected of trying to abduct a 13-year-old girl as she walked home from school in Lake Elsinore. (photo courtesy of the Riverside County Sheriff's Department)
The young victim was walking in the area of Laguna Avenue and Washington Street in an area known as Lakeland Village after being dropped off at her bus stop, officials reported.
A man driving a blue unknown-make car pulled up alongside her and asked if she needed a ride home. The victim declined and continued walking towards her home.
The girl became frightened when the man kept slowly driving beside her.
She grabbed her cell phone from her bag to call her mom and the suspect demanded she put the phone away and to get in his car, a Riverside County Sheriff’s report stated.
The victim took off running towards her house and told a family member what had just happened. The victim’s mother did not immediately call law enforcement until the next day after she saw a flyer regarding a similar incident.
In a previous interview about that case Deputy Martinez advised that children should always try walk with a friend, stay in well-lit areas, never take shortcuts and never go into isolated areas.
“If a stranger tries to kidnap or grab you, make a scene and every effort to get away,” Deputy Martinez added.
The suspect physical and vehicle description seem to coincide with the Apr. 25 incident.
The suspect was described as a thin white male adult, in his 30′s, with a goatee, wearing a black tank top, silver earrings and a red bandana or scarf wrapped around his neck.
Anyone with additional information regarding this case is urged to contact Investigator Callahan or Investigator Beatty at 951-245-3300.
Composite sketch of attempted kidnapping suspect in the Apr. 25 case in Lake Elsinore. (Photo courtesy of the Riverside County Sheriff's Department)
Stephanie D. Schulte is a writer/photographer SWRNN. She can be reached at stephanie.schulte@swrnn.com.
Loading ...
“The victim’s mother did not immediately call law enforcement until the next day…” What??? Why wouldn’t the mother call the cops? Didn’t she believe her? What a good protective mommy she must be.
Please don’t let your Precious Children Walk home (Never ) You are risking them getting kidnapped, raped and killed ! I’d never let my daughter walk no where and she is 25 !!!