Freeport Police Investigate Attempted Kidnapping Of 12-Year-Old Boy
FREEPORT, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- Police on Long Island are looking for a man who tried to kidnap a 12-year-old boy Tuesday afternoon.
Detectives say the boy was walking on North Brookside Avenue in Freeport around 5 p.m. when a man came up from behind him, and put his hand over the boy's mouth.
"Placed his hand over the victim's mouth and attempted to drag him away, the 12-year-old did try to free himself," Dt. Lt. Richard LeBrun, Nassau County Police Department, said.
As the victim struggled, a passing car honked its horn and the suspect fled, police said.
The child was not injured, WCBS 880's Sophia Hall reported. He immediately called 911 on his cell phone.
"In this respect the victim did everything right," LeBrun said.
The incident occurred across the street from a nature preserve that some residents say attracts all sorts of trouble.
"Open drug dealing, lots of people coming and going, and this is the result," one man told 1010 WINS' Carol D'Auria. "You see glassine envelopes, fast food waste, taxi drivers going there to relieve themselves."
As CBS2's Carolyn Gusoff reported, police said the traumatic encounter is a reminder to teach children to trust their instincts, find safety in numbers, and be assertive.
"If a stranger grabs you, you can do anything to get away from that person. I don't care if you kick, scream, bite," LeBrun said.
Most alarmed was the mother of a 6-year-old girl who was nearly snatched away by a stranger in a Freeport tax office last month.
"I just hope the police and detectives catch who is behind this, first it was a 6-year-old girl, now a 12-year-old boy. Soon it is going to be your kids," the woman said.
The suspect is described as a black male, in his 30s, with a stocky build, wearing a green jacket and jeans.
Detectives ask anyone with information to contact Nassau County Crime Stoppers at 1-80-244-TIPS. All callers will remain anonymous.