BERKLEY (WWJ) – Police are on the lookout for a man who allegedly tried to abduct a 12-year-old girl in Berkley late Wednesday afternoon.
The girl was walking home from school around 5 p.m. Wednesday when a man walked up and grabbed her backpack in the area of Sunnyknoll and Kipling, near Catalpa and Coolidge.
Berkley Police Lt. Andrew Hadfield told WWJ the suspect had a brief conversation with the girl, asking her where she was from before grabbing her.
The girl told police she was scared and kicked the suspect after he grabbed her bag and shirt collar, then ran to a friend's house.
The suspect then fled the area. The suspect was seen getting into a white work van, possibly a white Chevy cargo van, with a ladder and PVC pipe on top.
The victim told police the van had some rust on it, but no other markings. It was last seen turning south onto Kipling from Sunnyknoll.
In a Facebook post, police released a stock image of a similar van fitting the description of the suspect’s vehicle.
The suspect is described as a white man with pale skin, approximately 6-foot-5 with a medium build.
He was wearing a black hoodie with the hood drawn up around his face, a black beanie cap, a black face mask, black North Face jacket, blue jeans with rips near the thighs and tan work boots, according to the victim.
Berkley police officials are asking any residents in the area with cameras, or anyone who may have witnessed the attempted abduction to call Berkley Public Safety at 248-658-3380.
Authorities say if you see something suspicious, never hesitate to contact your local police department or call 9-1-1.
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