Minneapolis police are searching for a man who attempted to abduct a student walking home from South High School on Monday afternoon. It was the second attempted abduction reported in south Minneapolis this month.
In the recent incident, a 14-year-old girl was on alert after a black four-door vehicle's horn sounded, according to a police advisory issued Tuesday. Then she noticed the vehicle was following her. As she walked on the 10th Avenue S. bridge over the Midtown Greenway about 3:30 p.m., a man who had been in the vehicle got out and grabbed her from behind, attempting to force her into the vehicle. She fought him off and escaped, and the man drove north on 10th Avenue.
The suspect is described as a black man in his late 20s or early 30s, 6 feet 2 or 6 feet 3, medium complexion, with braided hair and a goatee. He was wearing a long red T-shirt and black jeans. The license plate of his car started with the letter K.
In the earlier reported abduction attempt, a 12-year-old girl was bicycling at 7:15 p.m. Sept. 15 from Todd Park at 56th Street and Chicago Avenue S. when she noticed a white or cream-colored older van driving behind her. Between 10th and Elliot Avenues, the van pulled in front of the girl, began to park and then drove past her. The child turned around and biked north on Elliot.
A short distance later, her bicycle chain jammed and as she got off the bike to fix it, the van pulled in front of her, stopping in the middle of the street, and the driver stepped out. He began to open the right rear sliding door of the van and said, "Get in," according to police. The girl ran through a nearby yard and got to safety. She told police she saw the man drive slowly through an alley.
He was described as a black man, about 20 years old, approximately 5 feet 8 inches tall, with medium build. He was wearing large baggy black jeans and a dark green hoodie that covered his hair. The van had rust or primer spots; it was described as beat-up, according to police.
Anyone with information in the cases is urged to call 911.
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