Fort Lauderdale Police are searching for a man they say tried to kidnap a teenager who was walking to school at gunpoint. Detectives believe this attempted armed kidnapping is possibly related to another one in Pompano Beach.
In Fort Lauderdale, a 17-year-old girl was walking to school Thursday morning near Stranahan High, when a man in a gray sedan drove up to her and tried to get her into his car at gunpoint, according to police.
Detectives said the girl told the man repeatedly that she had to go to school, before he drove away.
Asia Parker lives in the neighborhood and is worried.
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“Concerned, disturbing,” Parker said. “It's concerning, parents shouldn't have to worry about it, kids shouldn't have to worry about it. It's a lot of predators out here and got to be careful.”
Over in Pompano Beach, there’s a similar investigation.
Detectives with the Broward Sheriff's Office said earlier that same morning, a man in a gray sedan stopped a 15-year-old girl walking to school near the 200 block of Northwest 12th Court and told her to get in his car.
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The girl told investigators she said no and kept walking. Detectives said the man pulled up next to girl again, pointed a gun at her and demanded she get in the car. The girl ran and the man drove the other way.
Detectives are trying to see if there's a connection between both attempted kidnappings. They're also trying to figure out if these are the same men.
People in both communities now have their eyes wide open.
“Hopefully police find this person soon and get the situation under control,” Parker said.
In Fort Lauderdale, the suspect is described as a light skinned, Black or Hispanic, male between the ages of 20 to 25, with short curly hair, police stated. The suspect was driving a gray four door sedan, possibly a Nissan, with dark tints and a missing front passenger side hub cap.
Detectives are asking for anyone with information about this incident or who may recognize the suspect in the sketch to contact Detective Erica Payne at 954-828-6487. Information can additionally be provided anonymously by contacting Broward County Crime Stoppers at 954-493- TIPS (8477).
In Pompano Beach, investigators described the subject as an adult male, between 20 and 35 years of age. At the time of the incident, the subject had facial hair and was wearing a white tank top and black gym shorts. The subject was driving a gray-colored sedan.
Anyone with information on the subject's identity or the vehicle's location is asked to submit a tip through the SaferWatch app. If you wish to remain anonymous, contact Broward Crime Stoppers at 954-493-TIPS (8477), online at browardcrimestoppers.org, or dial **TIPS (8477) from any cellphone in the United States.
