Attempted Child Abductor Chases Boy in Cranston: Police

Cranston police are investigating an attempted child abduction reported by a 12-year-old boy who said that a man asked him if he needed a ride and then chased him on foot early Tuesday morning.

Cranston Police Acting Lt. Matthew Kite said in a news release that the victim was walking to a bus stop near the intersection of Aqueduct Road Bridgeton Roads at around 7:30 a.m. when a man approached in an older model red sedan and asked if he needed a ride.

The boy declined “at which time the male operator exited the vehicle and chased him on foot. The victim was able to elude the man before arriving at the bus stop,” Kite said.

The suspect is described as an older white man with gray hair and a gray mustache wearing a blue pullover with an orange zipper, police said. He was also wearing a red baseball cap and sunglasses.

The victim said that the car had a license plate with two possible digits: a 6 and a 7.

Cranston police are investigating with help from the department’s Special Victims Unit, the patrol division and School Resource Officer unit.

The incident is being investigated by the Cranston Police Department, Special Victims Unit in concert with the Patrol Division and School Resource Officer Unit. The police department has also been working in close coordination with the Cranston School Department.

Cranston Superintendent Jeanne Nota-Masse notified parents in an email on Tuesday afternoon and said that ”as always, we encourage you to speak to your children about strangers approaching them. Any incidents should be reported to police or school staff immediately. If you have any information that may assist in this investigation, please contact the Cranston Police Department.”

If you have any information, call Cranston police at 401-942-2211.