A little girl says the man who tried to abduct her in Fairfax County, Virginia, tried to lure her by talking about a cute dog.
The 8-year-old girl got off her school bus on Wednesday, Jan. 24 near the intersection of Frye Road and Madge Lane in the Alexandria area of the county. While walking home, she told police she was approached by a man.
“He asked, what’s my name and he has a dog that was cute and he can give it to me only if I come with him,” the girl said. News4 is not identifying her.
She said she knew something wasn't right because she didn't know him and he asked her strange questions.
The man grabbed her arm, but she broke away and ran, she said.
“I screamed because I wanted like someone to know that it was happening. I tried as loud as I can, and I ran away because I was really scared,” she told News4.
The man chased her for a short distance but did not catch her, police said.
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The girl said her screams caught the attention of a neighbor.
"There was a woman that like peaked out and I think it was because I screamed and then I think he thought that they were coming and he turned around and went away, she said.
Detectives worked off of the girl's detailed description to release a sketch of the suspect on Monday.
"She did an awesome, awesome job," Fairfax County Police Officer Kent Bailey said.
Police canvassed the neighborhood on Wednesday asking residents if they had any information and telling them to lookout for the suspect.
The man was described as black, between 40 and 50 years old, 5 feet 6 inches to 5 feet 7 inches in height with a medium build. He had short hair with a short beard, a mole on his left ear and a tattoo on his inner right forearm.
Investigators said he was wearing a black zip-up jacket with gray pockets, a black baseball hat with gray writing, black pants, black shoes, and a black or gray backpack.
Detectives will continue to canvass the area, review video surveillance in the area, and speak with any witnesses. Residents in the area can expect to see extra patrol officers while the investigation continues.
