Man tries to abduct girl, 6, from Henderson park

By Las Vegas Sun Staff (contact)

Monday, March 18, 2013 | 1:20 p.m.

Henderson Police are searching for a man who reportedly attempted to abduct a 6-year-old girl Sunday morning from a city park.

The girl was playing near the ball fields while her father was coaching a practice at Mountain View Park on Wigwam Parkway about 11:30 a.m. Sunday, police said. The suspect was seen hanging out in the area.

The girl used the restroom and was confronted by the suspect as she was leaving, police said. He spoke with her and then grabbed her and covered her mouth with his hand, police said.

The girl was able to scream for help. The suspect let her go and then fled the area, police said. The girl suffered a minor scratch but was very shaken up by the incident, police said.

“Henderson Police officers and detectives have been working to identify and capture the suspect since this terrifying incident occurred,” Henderson Police Chief Patrick Moers said in a statement. “I can think of no greater nightmare for parents than something to happen to their children. We are working hard to find the suspect.”

The suspect was described as a white man in his late 20s or early 30s, 5 feet 7 inches to 5 feet 10 inches tall, weighing about 190 to 250 pounds with short blond hair and green or blue eyes.

He was last seen wearing a short-sleeved checkered shirt, brown pants and gray tennis shoes with blue lines. He was seen leaving in a two-door faded red older model Volkswagen, possibly a Golf, police said.

In Sunday’s incident, the girl did what she should by calling for help and drawing attention, police said.

Police said parents should talk to their children and advise them the following:

• Tell your children not to talk with adults they do not know.

• Anytime they are approached by an adult, they should check with a parent, teacher or trusted adult.

• Children should never approach a vehicle. If they see a vehicle following them, they should tell a parent, teacher or trusted adult immediately

• Individuals who prey on children often try to gain a child’s confidence by asking for help looking for a lost pet or asking for directions. Talk with your children about these ploys.

• Role play with your children so they will know how to react if an incident occurs.

• Tell your children they should run away from the abductor, yell loudly and say something that will draw attention such as, “Help! This is not my dad. Help! I am being kidnapped.” If children just scream, people may think the child is only throwing a tantrum.

• Always report anything suspicious, such as someone sitting in a car watching a playground or a school.

Anyone with information about this case is urged to call the Henderson Police Department at (702) 267-4750 or, to remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at (702) 385-5555 or go online to crimestoppersofnv.com.

Tips directly leading to an arrest or an indictment processed through Crime Stoppers may result in a cash reward.