CSPD looking for suspect after girl reports being grabbed by stranger near her home
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) -- The Colorado Springs Police Department (CSPD) says it is investigating an attempted kidnapping after a girl was allegedly grabbed by an unknown person near her home.
CSPD described the suspect, who is still at large, as a male with brown curly hair, wearing a black hoodie and black gloves. The suspect's race is unknown, according to CSPD.
According to CSPD, officers received a call around 5:37 p.m. from Otis Park at 700 Iowa Avenue. The caller says a girl had run up to them at the park and said someone had tried to kidnap her near her house in the 600 block of Alexander Road.
CSPD says officers, as well as a drone from the Real Time Crime Center, canvassed the area looking for the suspect, who had been on foot. The victim says she was unharmed, but had been grabbed by the suspect, according to CSPD.
Family and neighbors say the pre-teen was playing in her backyard and accidentally threw a ball over the fence. When she went to retrieve it, she was met by the suspect.
The victim's mother said that when the man tried to grab her, her daughter hit him in the face with her shoe and ran to Otis Park.
"The first thing I did was give her a hug when I [saw] her, and I had her tell her story to my kids because I want them to be safe, too," said Eric Nelson, the victim's next-door neighbor.
The investigation is ongoing. CSPD is asking anyone who lives near the 600 block of Alexander Road or the 600 block of Prairie Road, or who may have surveillance footage of any suspicious people around the time of the call, to contact them.
The CSPD non-emergency line is 719-444-7000.
CSPD commended the victim's quick thinking and encouraged parents to talk with their kids about basic personal safety.
"Kids should always stay aware of their surroundings, travel with others when possible, and seek help immediately if someone makes them feel unsafe. Children should know they can always tell a trusted adult when something happens, and it’s essential that they do, as in this case. This young lady did everything right, and we’re grateful this situation was not worse," said Ira Cronin, CSPD Public Relations Manager.
CSPD wants to remind the community to promptly report unwanted physical contact or other concerning behavior to police, even if you are unsure whether a crime occurred.
Call 911 when someone is in immediate danger. CSPD says timely reporting helps officers respond, gather evidence, and identify possible connections between incidents.
As of now, CSPD says this appears to be an isolated incident.
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