WASHINGTON — Police are searching for a man they say attempted to kidnap a girl as she was walking to school in Northwest D.C. on Monday morning.
It happened on the 3700 block of Davenport Street NW at around 8 a.m. The girl was walking to school when the suspect approached from behind and grabbed her, lifting her off the ground, according to police. After a brief struggle, the girl was able to escape and fled, D.C. police said.
The suspect is described as a white man, 50 to 70 years old, around 5 feet 7 inches tall and skinny with a muscular build. He had a full gray beard.
He was last seen wearing a black sweatshirt, black sweatpants, black boots and a black hat rolled up on his head, according to police.
The suspect may be driving an older black car with tinted windows.
Police have not specified which school the victim was walking to but the principal of Alice Deal Middle School, which is near the scene of the incident, sent a letter to parents saying a student reported the attack.
D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser tweeted that keeping kids safe is “everyone’s responsibility,” and urged the public to help police find the suspect.
Keeping our children safe is everyone’s responsibility. Help us find the suspect who attempted to abduct a student walking to school this morning at the 3700 block of Davenport St. NW. If you have any info, contact @DCPoliceDept at 202-727-9099 or text 50411. #SaferStrongerDC
— Mayor Muriel Bowser (@MayorBowser) January 22, 2018
Anyone with information about the suspect is asked to call police at 202-727-9099 or text a tip to 50411.
