Last Friday a would-be child abductor attempted to lure a Brainerd child into his truck, according to a police report faxed to the Dispatch Friday afternoon at 2 p.m. It was on our website within an hour or so.
Parents and other concerned citizens have sounded off about the child abduction attempts that caused a public outcry.
“The first incident was reported about 7:30 p.m., Friday where a 4-year-old girl was riding her bicycle in the area of the 1100 block of Norwood St., when she was approached by a male in a silver-colored truck,” the Dispatch story posted Sept. 10 stated.
“The male told the girl to put her bicycle in the back of the truck and get in the truck. The girl was with other children and left the area immediately telling an adult relative.
“The second incident was reported at about noon Saturday, where a 9-year-old boy was riding his bicycle in the area of the 900 block of South Eighth Street, when he was approached by a male in a truck that pulled up next to him.
“The male told the boy to get into the truck. The boy did not get in the vehicle and went home telling a parent.”
As it turns out, one of the alleged abductions was an adult warning a child who was throwing unknown objects.
Neither child was harmed.
Anger at the Dispatch for not reporting the incident in a timely manner and at the would-be child abductor were charged with emotion. It is understandable that parents of children would be angered by an attempt to kidnap a child.
As stated earlier, the information was on our web-site within an hour or so after receiving it from police.
The older white male is described as having a skinny face, short hair with a possible short beard and a deep voice, is reportedly driving an older silver full size pick-up with scratches on the driver side door.
If anyone sees or observes an attempted child abduction dial 911 and give police a brief description and location of the person.
Parents, advise your children to stay with friends and playmates, insturcting them not to get into any vehicle with a person they do not know.
Right now, let’s focus our anger and our disgust on catching this guy before he entices a child and follows through with his actions.
Keith Hansen
