SPRINGFIELD, Ore. (KMTR) -- Springfield police are looking for a man accused of trying to kidnap a seven year old girl.
Police say the girl is okay after the abduction attempt which happened Tuesday afternoon, October 9, near a small Springfield park.
"This person comes up from behind her and grabs her by the arm and she screams. There's several other independent witnesses in the neighborhood that actually saw the suspect running away,” said Sergeant Dave Lewis of the Springfield Police Department.
The attempted abduction happened around 4 PM. Police say the girl was playing by herself outside by Tyson Park in the 3500 block of E Street, near 36th Street.
While standing on the sidewalk, the girl was grabbed from behind by a white man, who grabbed her by the arm.
Police say the girl then screamed and the man ran off. Several nearby witnesses confirmed hearing the scream and seeing a man running through the neighborhood shortly after.
"Most of the calls we get regarding suspicious adults around children are either them appearing to follow them or asking questions when they have no reason to talk to them, but very rarely do we get someone who actually gets out and makes physical contact with them,” said Sergeant Lewis.
Springfield Police are still looking for the suspect. He’s described as a white man in his mid-20s with an average build. He was last seen wearing a green shirt, tan shorts and a camouflage baseball hat. Police say the man was also carrying a black duffle bag.
If you have information about the case, call Springfield Police at 541 726-3714.
