Police: Man Tries To Abduct 10-Year-Old Girl Walking To School In Westbury
WESTBURY, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- Police in Nassau County are looking for a man who they say attempted to abduct a young girl on her way to school.
It happened around 9:15 a.m. Wednesday in Westbury.
Police said the Drexel Avenue Elementary School fifth grader was at the corner of Grand Street and Winthrop Avenue when a man dressed like a construction worker came up to her from behind and grabbed her arm.
The 10-year-old girl was able to break free and run away. Police said she found some bushes to hide in and crouched down, terrified, for minutes until she saw him walk away, CBS2's Magdalena Doris reported. She then ran to school where a teacher called police.
The incident has left some parents shaken.
"That's why I always tell my kids, 'you see somebody and you don't know that person -- even if he calls your name -- walk away," Annmarie Fernandez, of Westbury, said. "Walk away, because you don't know nowadays."
"We have to watch our kids a little bit more, and it scared my kids," another mother added.
"When you come to school with somebody you don't know, you have to be careful," said one parent.
"I'm very scared for that," said another.
But by running away and studying the man's face, the quick-thinking girl was able to get away unharmed and is now helping authorities to find him.
"She did the right thing," Nassau County Det. Lt. Richard Lebrun said.
"At least she knows how to react, because if she didn't then who knows what could have happened to her," one woman said.
Investigators have released a sketch of the suspect, who is described as a heavy-set, bald white man in his 30s. Police said he was wearing an orange t-shirt, shorts and work boots. He was last seen heading east on Winthrop Avenue towards Post Avenue.
Nassau County police will be providing extra patrols throughout the neighborhood and by the school. The last day of class is Friday.
Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-244-TIPS or the Third Squad at (516) 573-6353. All callers will remain anonymous.
