Girl, 15, Thwarts Would-Be Abductor

I want to highlight a quote in this article of this child who was abducted in SE Sem Hts.

"If they notice someone driving around the block several times or think someone is acting suspicious, immediately seek help by calling 911 or knocking on the nearest door, he said. "

When you live in an urban neighborhood any time you see something suspicious, call the police non-emergent line 231-6130 and report "Suspicious Activity" or at least make note of your observations to later refer to. If it appears to be an emergency call 911.


Girl, 15, Thwarts Would-Be Abductor

By VALERIE KALFRIN vkalfrin@tampatrib.com Published: May 21, 2005

http://tampatrib.com/floridametronews/MGBBNR2DZ8E.html

TAMPA - The 15-year-old girl walked home with friends from Middleton High School about 3 p.m. Friday, talking and laughing.

At North 15th and East Curtis streets, she left the group and headed off by herself.

Nearby, a man in a faded beige four-door sedan watched, Tampa police said.

In the 1200 block of East Curtis, he drove alongside the girl and stopped. He opened the passenger-side door to block her path, then reached across the front seat, grabbed the petite girl by her arm and yanked her inside, Lt. Mark Hamlin said Friday night.

The man drove off, clutching the girl's arm.

``He held on to her, saying he was going to have sex with her,'' Hamlin said.

About 2 1/2 miles from where the man grabbed her, the girl saw a chance to escape.

The man stopped for a red light at North Tampa Street and East Columbus Drive, and for a moment he released his grip on her arm. The girl flung open the passenger door and ran into the street, Hamlin said.

The man drove away, the girl's blue and black backpack still in the car.

``Only God knows what would've happened to this girl,'' Hamlin said. ``She kept calm. She saw an opportunity, and she got away.''

Hamlin did not know how long the girl was inside the car. After her escape, she phoned her mother, who left work to pick her up and called police about 4:40 p.m.

The teenager was traumatized, Hamlin said.

Police released a description of the man and car Friday night. The man is black with a light complexion, possibly in his mid-20s, with a muscular build, short hair and gold on his lower teeth.

The faded beige car resembles a Cadillac. The interior has tan cloth upholstery with tears or cuts on the headliner, passenger seat and passenger door. The driver's seat is missing the headrest, Hamlin said, and the inside passenger door handle is damaged.

He asked that anyone with information about the man or car to call (813) 231-6130.

To stay safe, Hamlin advised children to travel in groups and be aware of their surroundings. If they notice someone driving around the block several times or think someone is acting suspicious, immediately seek help by calling 911 or knocking on the nearest door, he said.

This is the second quick- thinking Tampa youth to confront a kidnapper in recent months. In March, a 10-year- old girl broke free from a man who dragged her into bushes at knifepoint and told her to pull down her pants, police said.

Reporter Valerie Kalfrin can be reached at (813) 259-7800.