Maryland

Man Trying to Kidnap Teen Girls in Germantown: Police

"They're teenage girls. Generally, they're walking by themselves"

A man is approaching teenage girls in Germantown and trying to kidnap them, police say.

Montgomery County police developed a sketch of the suspect based on the reports of two victims. 

"They're teenage girls. Generally, they're walking by themselves," Capt. Paul Starks said Tuesday.  

A 13-year-old girl was walking in her neighborhood in Germantown when a man asked her if she needed a ride and grabbed her arm, police say.

The girl told police she went to the 7-Eleven store on Clopper Road and Mateny Road about 8 p.m. Friday. She left the store to head home on Mateny Road, and a man in a white vehicle stopped. He asked her if she needed a ride. She said she didn't. Then, the man got out of the car and grabbed her arm, pulling it.

The girl broke free and ran home. She told her parents, who called the police.

The girl told police a man who was walking his dog saw what happened and told the suspect to leave the girl alone.

After police released information about the incident, the family of a 16-year-old girl said she had a similar scare in the area. She described the same man. The teen told police a man approached her about eight weeks ago her at a bus stop on Leaman Farm Road and asked her if she needed a ride. He left the area. Then, about two weeks later, as she was walking to the 7-Eleven, the same man asked her the same question.

Police are investigating the crime as an attempted kidnapping, and described the suspect as Hispanic, in his 30s, about 5-foot-10 and thin. He was clean-shaven and had a heavy accent. He was last seen wearing a black jacket and blue jeans. He may have been driving a small, white SUV.

Anyone with information for police is asked to call 240-773-5400. Callers may remain anonymous by calling 866-411-TIPS. A reward of as much as $10,000 is offered. 

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