Police: Stranger grabbed 13-year-old girl's arm, tried to force her into car



RENTON -- Police are looking for a man who grabbed a 13-year-old girl walking home from school and tried to force her into a car, officers said, less than a year after a similar incident occurred in the area.

Around 3 p.m. on April 27, a 13-year-old girl was walking home from Nelson Middle School in the 11100 block of SE 164th Street in Renton when she was approached by a Hispanic male driving a teal colored SUV, Renton Police said. The man asked the girl to directions to the nearest gas station, which she provided.

Rather than drive away, the suspect left his car and grabbed the girl by the hand, telling her he needed to get in the vehicle and show him where the gas station was located, police said. The girl managed to break free, police said.

The man was described as Hispanic, 35 years old with medium height and a lean build. He had spiky black hair, brown eyes and a noticeable bump on his nose. The girl told police the pores on his face were very visible. He spoke with a thick Hispanic accent and was wearing a long-sleeved dark blue or gray shirt with a black puffy nylon vest and blue jeans.

A concerned parent at Nelson Middle School told Q13 FOX parents were told about the attempted abduction Wednesday, more than a week after it occurred. The parent was upset at the time it took to notify the public, saying too much time had passed, possibly allowing the suspect to attempt another abduction.

The parent said in September, a similar luring attempt occurred in the area.

Anyone with information on the abduction is encouraged to call the Renton Police Department at 425-430-7500.