Mpls. Police Investigating Attempted Abductions

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MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- Police in Minneapolis are investigating two attempted abductions of two teenage girls in just two days. In both cases, the girls reported being attacked on their way home from school.

The latest attack happened Tuesday at 35th Avenue and 3rd Street North in Minneapolis. The first attack happened Monday afternoon on the 10th avenue bridge that goes over the Midtown Greenway.

Police aren't saying if they have found a connection, but there are obvious parallels.

In Tuesday's reported attack, a 16-year-old girl was walking home at 4:30 p.m. from a bus stop when she said a man tried to get her into a car. She said the man jumped out and forced her in the car .

"A struggle ensued in the car where the suspect may or may not have been stabbed and the female was able to exit the vehicle and run to safety," said Sgt. Steve McCarty of the Minneapolis Police.

The girl told police she managed to stab the abductor with his own pocket knife. Police are not releasing the description of the man or the vehicle he was driving because the case is still under investigation.

Neighbors in the quiet neighborhood are startled.

"My reaction is very shocked because this is a very nice community," said Lekemia Caster.

In Monday's reported attack, a 14-year-old girl was walking home at around 3:30 p.m. from South High School in south Minneapolis. When she reached the 10th Avenue Bridge over the Midtown Greenway, she was grabbed from behind, police said. The suspect tried to force the girl into his car, but she fought back and managed to flee the scene.

Police said the girl described the suspect as a black man in his late 20s or early 30s. He was about 6 feet, 3 inches in height and was wearing a long red T-shirt and black jeans. He was driving a black four door car with the license plate starting with the letter K.

South High sent an audio message to parents where Principal Cecilia Saddler said to "please take a few minutes to remind your child not to listen to, talk to or approach strangers."

Police are warning kids not to walk around distracted by their cell phones or iPods. Police are not saying if these girls were doing that at the time they were approached, but they say kids can be vulnerable if they are distracted by electronics.