HOLIDAY, Fla. — Pasco County Sheriff's Office says a case appears unfounded, after a man had allegedly tried to kidnap a 10-year-old girl off her bicycle.
They were looking for the man who allegedly tried to kidnap a 10-year-old girl off her bicycle.
Patrol cars were in the neighborhood until about 9 p.m. Neighbors said they heard the helicopter and came home from work to find deputies searching the streets.
"I am shocked. My granddaughters are coming here soon. We keep an eye on them, but they ride their bikes here too," said neighbor Juan Mursuli.
The incident happened at about 5:00 Thursday evening at the intersection of Whippoorwill Dr. and Jarvis St. in the Colonial Hills area of Holiday.
"Deputies said it happened literally right in front of my house so that's not very encouraging, but I heard she’s safe which is nice," said neighbor Jeremiah Ruff.
“We are treating it as an attempted abduction. Until we are able to identify the individual,” said Detective Daniel Toner.
The girl was riding her bicycle when she says a man told her he liked her bike.
“She replies and says thanks as she’s going slowly on her bike. Then he questions as to where are you going,” said Toner.
Finally, she says the man ran toward her and grabbed at her sweatshirt.
She was able to get away and go to a friends house.
There is now a composite sketch she helped detectives make.
“Right now the Sheriff’s Office doesn’t know if this person had the intentions to actually grab the girl and commit a crime with her. Or if he suffers from possible mental illness or he’s highly intoxicated not that that would justify this,” said Toner.
The Sheriff’s office is expanding patrols in the area, especially around bus stops.
They remind kids to stay in groups and on main streets.
And report anyone who looks suspicious.
The suspect was described as a shorter light-skinned Hispanic male or darker skinned white male adult with a medium build, possibly middle aged with dark longer hair touching the shoulders and a full scruffy beard with some bald spots with gray hair mixed in.
The suspect was reportedly wearing a light blue shirt with holes in it, light colored shorts, gray socks and no shoes.
Anyone with information is asked to call (800) 706-2488.
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