Update: Takoma Park Boy Nearly Abducted At Bus Stop

Update Mar. 21 12:20 p.m.: Takoma Park Police determined there was no abduction attempt as was reported Mar. 18.

Police conducted a surveillance detail at Cockerille Avenue at Kansas Lane in response to the attempted child abduction and at 6:35 a.m., the detective noticed a green 2001 Toyota Echo in the area.  The driver, who matched the description given by the child, exited the vehicle and walked through the path to deliver a newspaper on Circle Avenue.  When the driver responded back to his vehicle, the detective made contact with him and found out the subject parks his vehicle at that location every morning between 6:30 and 7:00 a.m. to deliver newspapers to houses on Circle Avenue.  

The subject said he was running late on the morning of Mar. 18 and he ran to the house on Circle Avenue but does not recall seeing the child. Further investigation revealed that when the child saw the subject running toward him, he ran and hid behind a van and the subject ran past him, but never actually ran after him.  An independent witness confirmed the subject’s daily routine, supporting the investigation, police said.

Original Story: A 12-year-old Takoma Park boy was almost abducted this morning, police reported.

Around 7 a.m. the victim was walking to his bus stop when he approached Cockerille Avenue and Kansas Avenue. A Hispanic-looking male stopped near the boy, exited his vehicle and chased the victim in an attempt to grab him, police said. The boy fled back to his house and the suspect was seen casually returning to his vehicle and fleeing the area from Circle Avenue, making a right on to Kansas Avenue, according to police.

The suspect is described as a Hispanic man, approximately 240-250 pounds, around 5-foot-8, clean-shaven, short black hair, round fat-face with pimples, last seen wearing a red baseball cap and solid navy blue dress shirt with collar, police said. His pants were baggy, wrinkled, dark blue jeans.

Police said the man was last seen driving a black, two-door Toyota Echo with tinted rear windows.  There was a scratch on the bumper.

Anyone with information about this crime is asked to callat 301.270.1100 or Det. Butler at 301.891.7111 and refer to case #11012791.