UPDATE: Deputies investigate similarities between attempted kidnapping reports in Colorado Springs and Yoder

The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office says similarities between an attempted kidnapping that was reported in Colorado Springs Sunday night and one reported near Yoder in May have prompted investigators to reactivate that case.

The Sheriff’s Office says the Yoder incident was reported on May 17, 2015.

The Colorado Springs case happened at around 9:30 p.m. on July 26, 2015 in the 6900 block of Delmonico Drive, which is on the northwest side of town.

In that case, Jake Harper, 15, told police he was riding his bike in the area when an older black van pulled up alongside him. Harper said a passenger in the van told him to “slow down” as the van pulled over.

The passenger then reportedly grabbed Harper by the shoulder, causing the boy’s bike to fall over. Harper then punched the man in the stomach and was able to pedal away on his bike.

Police say the van had no side doors and dual rear hatch doors.

Harper is a boxer and wrestler. His dad Jerry Harper said he is grateful his son could throw a punch.

“He did it exactly right,” said Jerry harper. “He fought him off and got out of there.”

Jerry said the teen rides his bikes frequently and is shocked two men attempted to take him so close to home.

“You forget there are people like this out there. Just have a plan, have a conversation about what to do if something like this happens,” said Jerry.

Sgt. Cliff Porter, a detective with the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office, spoke about a similar case the agency investigated in Yoder.

The Sheriff’s Office says the similarities between the two cases include the following:

Same time of night
Same age of victim
Number of suspects
Description of passenger
Description of van
Method victims used to get away

Porter said these cases are difficult to crack. He said the case in Colorado Springs may offer new information that could lead to an arrest.

“We are working with a very limited amount of information. Right now since we have multiple incidences we do have an opportunity to re-examine the case,” said Porter.

If you have any information about the Colorado Springs case you are asked to call 719-444-7000 and if you have any information about the Yoder case you are asked to call 719-390-5555.