Teen Abduction Attempt Investigated

Detectives from the St. Petersburg Police Youth Resources Division are investigating an alleged abduction of a 15-year-old girl Monday.

The incident took place at around 3:30 p.m. in the 6600 block of 1st Avenue South, as the girl was walking east to a friend's house.

She reported to police that she was approached from behind by a man who grabbed her upper arm and said "Get in."

The victim immediately reacted by kicking the suspect in the groin area and was able to break free as the suspect fell to the ground in pain, police said.

She immediately ran from the area and then called to her friend's mother to
come pick her up a few block away.

According to police, the victim did not get a good look at the suspect who she could only describe as an older man who was wearing black gloves and blue jeans. If the suspect did have a vehicle parked nearby, the victim did not see it.

Police said Monday morning another juvenile female reported a suspicious person who may or may not be involved in the incident on 1st Avenue South.

In that case a 14-year-old female reported that around 1 a.m. she was walking in the area of 26th Avenue North and 66 Street when she observed a white Lincoln Navigator slowly driving past her and then stop ahead of the direction she was traveling.

As she started to pass the vehicle, the driver, a male, wearing a white T-shirt and blue jeans, stepped out of the vehicle, police said.

According to police, as she passed, the man made a flirtatious comment to her and asked if she needed a ride. The girl kept walking and immediately took out her cell phone to call her father as the man got back into the vehicle and drove off. The subject made no attempt to grab the girl.

At this point, investigator are unsure if the two cases are related, but given the similar ages of the two girls, the same date and the relatively close proximity of the two incidents, it is considered a possibility.

Detectives are seeking the public's assistance and are asking anyone with information on either case to call the St. Petersburg Police Department at 727-893-7780.