Anaheim police seek help arresting suspect in attempted teen abduction
Anaheim police Friday asked for the public's help tracking down a suspect who tried to push a 13-year-old girl into his pickup.
Police were called around 2:45 p.m. Thursday about a man attempting to kidnap a girl in the 2600 block of West Ball Road as she was walking home from Dale Junior High School, according to Anaheim police Sgt. Jacob Gallacher.
"He grabs her, attempts to pull her inside the car. Thankfully, she was able to scream and there were bystanders that were able to alert police and he got scared and fled the scene," the Anaheim police Sgt. said.
Anaheim resident Elanie Thomas shared video of the white pickup taking off down the street with CBSLA.
"She was a very brave young lady because she screamed and she balked and she got the attention of others," Thomas said.
The woman who caught the attempted kidnapping on camera feared showing her face on camera because the suspect got away. She said she's worried about letting her own kids out alone now.
"First thing, when I found, I told my daughter not to go outside, you know, not to go outside without any eyes on her, supervision. It's very scary," she told CBSLA.
Parents at Dale Middle School were also alerted about what happened.
The suspect is a Latino man about 25 years old with a thin build and short, thin hair, who was wearing a gray hoodie. He was driving a white pickup with a gray tool rack in the bed. It was possibly a Toyota Tundra or Ford F-150.
As for the teenage victim, police said she was unhurt physically, but was obviously shaken up by the traumatic situation.
Authorities told CBSLA that they do not believe that the suspect knew the victim. The girl's school is providing resources to her and other students who might need it and might be hesitant to now walk home alone.
Anyone with information was asked to call Detective Jacob Medina at 714-765-1419. Orange County Crime Stoppers will accept anonymous tips at 855- TIP-OCCS.
