Attempted abductor sought

Friday, August 19, 2005

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Click here for an enlarged image of the composite sketch.

The St. Petersburg Police Department has released a composite sketch of a man they say may have tried to abduct two girls at their bus stop.

It happened at 23rd Avenue and Seventh Street South Thursday morning as the girls say they were waiting for the bus.

Police say just before 7 a.m., the 6- and 10-year-old were approached by a stranger. They say the man started having a conversation with them when he reached out and tried to grab the 6-year-old girl.

The two girls ran to a nearby home and called police. They say the man was on foot.

Police searched the area Thursday, but did not find the suspect. Officers also patrolled the area Friday morning.

The two girls did ride the bus to school Friday morning, but their mother waited with them in the car until the bus arrived.

Officers continue to search for the suspect.

The mother, who didn't want to be identified, said she saw Thursday's abduction attempt from her rear-view mirror.

"They did the right thing," she said. "The 10-year-old really saved her sister's life because she grabbed her hand away from the man. He had one hand. She grabbed the other and snatched it away."