Holly Hill Police say a 12-year-old’s boy quick thinking may have saved him from being taken by two men.

  • Boy says 2 men tried to abduct him as he went home from school
  • He ran up a neighbor's driveway, pretending it was his own
  • Police are beefing up patrols in the area of Ridge Avenue and Granada Street

According to the police report, after being approached by two men, the 12 year old went into a homeowner’s driveway, pretending it was his home.

The men panicked and fled the scene.

Brenda Lee Molina lives across the street from the boy police said the two men tried to abduct.

“That's horrible, that’s scary. I mean, I was thinking the neighborhood was peaceful,” said Molina.

Holly Hill Police Chief Steve Aldrich says the boy was riding his bike home from school at the intersection of Ridge Avenue and Granada Street, when the men came up behind him.

“They offered him, you know, come up to the car if you want money or candy. He said 'no' and started walking up the driveway of a home like it was his own, and they sped away” said Aldrich.

The boy then raced home to tell his mother, who in turn called police on a non-emergency hotline.

Currently police are searching for the two men, described by the 12-year-old boy as both having beards, driving a red Honda. The driver is described as a black man, while the passenger is a white man, according to authorities. Police responded, but were unable to find the car or the two men.

Aldrich says they are beefing up patrols in the area the boy was riding his bicycle. They’re also sharing all the information they have with other law enforcement agencies about this possible attempted abduction.

“We’ve reported to the other agencies, so they’ll watch their school zones and residential areas as well,” said Aldrich.

Molina takes care of her nieces and picks them up from school every day. She was considering letting them walk home from school before Wednesday.

“We had the thought of letting them have their adventure, but no, no, they’re not gonna be walking home from school. No, this is scary,” said Molina.

Chief Aldrich says while the 12 year old was able to pull into a driveway, other children may not have that option.

He does encourage children who may be caught in the same situation one day to go to a populated area, like a store or a restaurant, where there are several adults around who can help.