Police searching for man who grabbed girl walking to school

SEATTLE -- Police are looking for a man who reportedly grabbed a 15-year-old girl as she walked to school Tuesday morning.

The girl told officers she was walking around 6:30 a.m. when man approached her in Westwood Village Shopping Center and asked her where he could buy a phone charger. The girl told police she answered the question, and walked to a nearby coffee shop.

The girl said as she left the cafe and noticed she was being followed by the man. The man allegedly grabbed her and wrapped her arms around her, she told police. Luckily, she broke free and ran the rest of the way to Denny International Middle School, where she told school employees.

The suspect is described as a black man in his early 30s wearing a black hoodie and sweat pants.

Earlier this year, a student at Denny International reported that she was grabbed by a man near the corner of Thistle and 25th Avenue SW.

A string of incidents have occurred in West Seattle during the last few years, including flashing and lurings. At least three students have reported they were flashed by men in the past three years, and at least two attempted abductions occurred.

Anyone with information about this case is encouraged to call 911.