METRO DETROIT (WWJ) - Authorities in two Metro Detroit communities are on the lookout for suspects in connection to a pair of stranger danger incidents reported within a day of each other.
While the victims -- both young girls -- were able to get away in both cases, but the alarming events have left residents unsettled.
The first incident was reported in Berkley later Wednesday (March 22) afternoon after a male suspect attempted to abduct a 12-year-old girl as she was walking home from school.
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 backpack in the area of Sunnyknoll and Kipling, near Catalpa and Coolidge.
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 in a white work van, possibly a white Chevy cargo van, with a ladder and PVC pipe on top. The girl was also able to tell police that she saw some rust on it, but no other markings.
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.
The very next day, a second incident was reported several miles away in Chesterfield Township.
According to police, a female high school student was walking to school Thursday morning when she noticed a white van following her at the intersection of Lakewood and Edith.
The girl told officers that when she turned to look at the driver, he would quickly park at the curb. After some time, the student ran off and was able to call her mother.
The student described the man as a pale white male with glasses, 25 to 30 years old, with dark brown shoulder-length hair and wearing a beanie-style hat.
Authorities in both counties are actively investigating the incidents and have asked the public to come forward if they see something suspicious. Berkley police officials are asking any residents in the area with cameras, or anyone who may have witnessed the attempted abduction in their city to call Berkley Public Safety at 248-658-3380.
Authorities said never hesitate to contact your local police department or call 9-1-1 if something doesn't feel right.
