Teen Girl Escapes Abduction Attempt In Aloha Tuesday

ALOHA, OR — A teen girl escaped a near abduction as she walked home from Albertsons in Aloha early Tuesday, according to the Washington County Sheriff's Office. The incident is eerily similar to two attempted abductions in Tigard last month, though WCSO officials cannot confirm whether the three incidents are related.

The girl told detectives she was walking home just before 1:30 a.m. Feb. 13 when two men in a white work van pulled alongside her near Southwest 185th Avenue and Southwest Farmington Road in the unincorporated Washington County community of Aloha.

The men, WCSO Detective Robert L. Rookhuyzen said, offered the girl cigarettes and marijuana. She reportedly declined and continued walking home, but the van followed her.

Eventually pulling the van up close, one of the men reached out to grab the girl, Rookhuyzen said. She was able to pull away and run home, where she then called 911.

One of the men was described as white, in his early to mid 20s, with blonde hair and blue eyes. The other was described as a dark-skinned man.

Rookhuyzen could not confirm whether these men and this van are the same used in abduction attempts in Tigard on Jan. 3 and Jan. 11, and neither could officials in Tigard confirm whether those two previous incidents were related.

In both previous incidents the white van was driven by a white man, but the child victims of those attempted abductions offered varying — though not contradicting — details of either the van or the driver. This appears to be the first incident where a second man is mentioned.

Rookhuyzen offered a few safety tips and reminders — particularly for juveniles — when walking in the city:

• Walk in groups;
• Carry a cell phone to be able to call for help;
• Wear bright or reflective clothing;
• Maintain a safe distance from cars;
• Do not approach strangers in vehicles; and
• Report suspicious activity immediately to 911.

Anyone with information about this incident or either of the previous two is asked to call non-emergency dispatch at 503-629-0111.

Related:

• Stranger Danger: Child Offered Toys, Ride Home In White Van
  
• Stranger Danger II: 2nd Child Approached By Man In White Van

Image via KeyStock, ShutterStock