POMPANO BEACH, Fla. (WSVN) — Broward Sheriff’s Office deputies are searching for a man who allegedly tried to snatch a 13-year-old girl as she walked home from school, Wednesday afternoon.
Police have released a surveillance video that captured the young girl running away from the alleged abductor along the 1400 Block of Northeast Fourth Street in Pompano Beach, at around 4:30 p.m. "It is very troubling, and that’s why we want to get him off the street," said BSO spokesperson Joy Oglesby.
On Friday, BSO released a sketch of the alleged suspect. He is described as having reddish brown hair and a thin frame. He appears to be in his late 40s or early 50s. He was last seen wearing a red, short-sleeved shirt and was potentially driving a tan SUV, which may be a Ford Explorer, according to officials.
According to the investigators, the man drove up alongside the sidewalk and asked the girl if she was walking home. She ignored him and continued walking, but that’s when the suspect grabbed her by the waist and tried to pull her inside the vehicle.
The suspect did not give up when the victim screamed and managed to break free from his grasp. He went back to his vehicle and chased the girl, but she was able to elude the suspect. "He then got back into his SUV and continued to pursue her," Oglesby said.
Investigators said, when the suspect continued to follow the teen along the road, she ran to the safety of a nearby friend’s home.
A surveillance camera at a nearby daycare captured the ordeal. "It was in the daylight so I was even more shocked, like wow, he was very bold," said Crystal Umana, an employee at the daycare.
Area resident Scott Rhodes said he’s surprised the incident took place in his neighborhood. "I wouldn’t expect it here. This is kind of a nice quiet residential area.," he said.
Oglesby praised the young victim’s actions, indicating she did everything correctly in this kind of situation. "The girl did everything right. She actually saved her own life, because she screamed really loudly. She kicked and she ran away," she said.
Citizens are concerned for the safety of their young ones. "I’m very upset about it, he could just look like anybody. He could just look like a nice guy," said uneasy grandmother Jill Epler.
"It’s sad that people prey on innocent children," said area resident Gay Diamond.
"It’s bad, it’s bad," said Rhodes.
The sight of this girl running for her life is frightening to those who typically walk along the very same road. "You wouldn’t think that someone would try doing that in broad daylight," said one concerned resident.
Another admitted she was in a similar situation as this 13-year-old girl. "I’ve had something like that happen to me," she said. "To be in that position takes a long time to get over that."
The incident has left residents like Diamond rethinking their own safety. "Obviously, whoever would do that to a child would do that to anybody, so I have to be careful," she said.
If you recognize this man, call Broward County Crime Stoppers at 954-493-TIPS. Remember, you can always remain anonymous, and you may be eligible for a $3,000 reward.