A 16-year-old girl walking home from school in north Minneapolis fought off a man who tried to abduct her Tuesday, in what police say may be the third attempted abduction in as many weeks.

Police don't know if it's connected to two earlier attempted abductions on the city's South Side. "That's the million-dollar question," said Sgt. Steve McCarty, a police spokesman.

In Tuesday's case, the girl told police she was walking in the 3200 block of N. 6th Street about 4 p.m. when a man driving a truck pulled up behind her and tried to get her to come into his vehicle, said McCarty. When she refused, the man reportedly jumped out and forced her into the truck, he said.

The man drove a short distance before the girl used a knife that was in the truck to fight him off and escape, he said.

McCarty said police are not releasing additional details because they're still investigating.

On Monday, a 14-year-old girl told police a man tried to abduct her about 3:30 p.m. as she walked on the 10th Avenue S. bridge over the Midtown Greenway. Police said she fought off the man and escaped. He reportedly drove north on 10th Avenue.

A 12-year-old girl bicycling at 7:15 p.m. Sept. 15 from Todd Park at 56th Street and Chicago Avenue S. said she noticed a man in a van who was following her. The girl turned around and headed north on Elliot Avenue when her bike chain jammed. While she tried to fix it, the man pulled in front of her and ordered her to get in the van. The girl told police she ran through a nearby yard and the man drove through the alley.

Police would like anyone with information about these incidents to call their tip line at 612-692-TIPS (8477).

MARY LYNN SMITH