Child Abduction Digest 8-24-12

Algonquin, IL
Police are investigating the report of an attempted child abduction Tuesday afternoon near Westfield Community School.

A 12-year-old girl was walking home from school at around 3:45 p.m. in the area of Barrett and Broadsmore drives when a suspect approached her and asked if she wanted a ride home, according to the Algonquin Police Department. The girl declined and ran from the area, and the motorist drove off in an unknown direction.

The suspect was described as a clean shaven black male between the age of 20 and 30 years old. The vehicle was described as an older, dark red or maroon minivan with small wheels and rust spots on the body.

Amherst, OH
An 11-year-old girl reported an attempted abduction outside Amherst Middle School Wednesday afternoon.

The girl left school at approximately 3:10 p.m. and was walking south on Lincoln Street when she says she was approached by a man driving a full-size blue van. He told her to get in the van, after which she ran back to school and reported the incident.

Laurel, MD
Police are investigating an attempted abduction in Laurel, Maryland.

An eleven year old boy says a white van with two men inside pulled up as he was waiting for his school bus.

The driver repeatedly asked him if he wanted a toy motorcycle.


Clifton Heights, PA
Police investigating the attempted abduction of a 6-year-old girl Wednesday have released a composite drawing of the suspect.

The incident occurred at about 8 p.m. in the 500 block of Cherry Street. The child was playing outside when she was approached by an unknown male who offered her candy, according to Police Chief Tim Rockenbach.

The child refused to speak to the man, later telling police she was taught not to speak to strangers. When she ignored him, the suspect grabbed the little girl and tried to pick her up. He was scared away by neighbors who saw what was happening, Rockenbach said.

Champaign, IL
Champaign police are investigating an attempted abduction of a girl and a second incident involving a boy.

Neither child was reported hurt.

According to Champaign police spokeswoman Rene Dunn, a fifth-grade girl reported being approached by a man at the intersection of North Fifth Street and East Columbia Avenue while she was waiting for a school bus at 7:40 a.m. Thursday.

Then, at 3:40 p.m. Thursday, a 7-year-old boy said he was approached by two men riding a black pickup truck as the boy was walking near Williamsburg and Thornton drives.

The boy said the men made comments to him, but he didn’t clearly understand what they said.
After the truck drove away, it later returned to the area. The boy then ran away.