x
Breaking News
More () »

GRPD looking for any witnesses to an attempted teen abduction on the Southeast side

Police are asking for any witnesses to an early morning attempted teen abduction to step forward.

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Police are asking anyone who witnessed an attempted abduction early Wednesday. 

GRPD says it happened shortly after 6:30 a.m. as a 14-year-old Alger Middle School student was walking to the bus stop with her 12-year-old brother. They had just left their home in the 800 block of Sigsbee St SE.

Police say the two were walking towards their stop in the area of Logan and Barth SE when they encountered the suspect. Police believe the abduction attempt occurred on Sigsbee Street SE between Diamond Avenue and Barth Avenue.

The suspect's vehicle, a dark-colored passenger car, was parked on the street. The suspect, described as a tall white man with a hooded sweater or jacket, got out and offered to drive them to school.

Police say the children hesitated to answer him and that's when the suspect grabbed the girl around the neck. The children told police an unknown person  in the area yelled out to the suspect and he ran off to his car.

The Grand Rapids Police Department is working with Grand Rapids Public Schools and say extra patrols will take place during school dismissal. 

"You never can tell if the suspect is unsuccessful in one spot they might try and move somewhere else so we are stepping up patrols to make all of our community members to feel safe and secure," says Sgt. Dan Adams with GRPD.

Investigators are asking for anyone with any information to come forward, particularly the person who yelled out to the suspect.

Call Grand Rapids Police at 616-456-3400 or Silent Observer at 616-774-2345.

►Make it easy to keep up to date with more stories like this. Download the 13 ON YOUR SIDE app now.

Have a news tip? Email news@13onyourside.com, visit our Facebook page or Twitter.

Before You Leave, Check This Out