BRIDGTON, Maine — A 9-year-old girl escaped the clutches of a man who attempted to abduct her Saturday, and police are looking for the suspect.
Bridgton police Chief Kevin Schofield said the girl was swimming with friends at a swimming hole near Kansas Road when the man tried to get a hold of her and coax her into what Schofield said was “a white panel-type van that resembles an ice cream truck.”
Even though the man did put his hands on the girl, she was able to elude the suspect, head back to the area in which she was playing with friends and headed to one of their houses to call her father, Schofield said.
The father subsequently contacted police, launching an investigation, Schofield said.
No arrests have been made in the case, but police have described the suspect as a slightly overweight white man with white hair.
If he’s caught, the suspect could face assault and criminal restraint charges, and possibly more, according to Schofield.
Anyone who has seen the man should contact Bridgton police at 647-8815, ext. 200.
I have no tolerance for adults who try and lure children. I hope if/when they find this creep they lock him up for a long time.
So scary, I am so glad to hear she was able to fend him off. Great job to the girl and her parents for making sure she knew what to do.
This is distressing for sure, nobody wants to hear of any kind of abuction involving children. I am just wondering though, do they actually have Ice Cream Trucks in that area? “The man tried to get a hold of her and coax her into what Schofield said was “a white panel-type van that resembles an ice cream truck.” If so, maybe they should go to the owner of the local “Ice Cream Truck” and ask some very pointed questions…?
Hang him!
I am surprised no one has yet commented on the fact that this 9yr old was swimming with friends and had to go to a house to call her dad. Where were the adults supervising these children!?!??!
I was 9 in 1991. My parents felt then that it was okay for me and friends to venture out places by our selves, as we lived, and still live in a rural area. However, now its 2012, I myself have a 9 year old, and your very correct on the point that he ain’t going to go no where like that with out adult supervision. The world has changed a ton in the last 20 years, unfortunately none of the change has been for the better.
When I was a little kid running around the neighborhood with my little buddies, we felt pretty safe…not in today’s world….I can’t imagine not having an adult with little girls (or boys) out of sight. I can’t imagine getting that call. So glad she got away. I don’t want to blame the parents because there could be a lazy babysitter in the mix….but come on people go outside with the kids and keep them safe.
BUILD MORE PRISONS!
If this happened on Saturday, why the heck is it just in the paper today? What is he’s still in the area looking for another child to abduct? Shouldn’t the public have been made aware to be extra cautious?