15-year-old girl victim of attempted kidnapping

The Porterville Police Department on Tuesday alerted surrounding law enforcement to be on the lookout for an unknown suspect who tried to kidnap a 15-year-old girl.

The incident happened at 6:49 p.m. Tuesday at Tomah Avenue and Wisconsin Street. Police said officers in the area were flagged down by the girl who said that about 10 minutes prior, she was walking north on Wisconsin Street from Olive Avenue when a car pulled over behind her. A male passenger reportedly exited the car, asked her if she needed a ride and allegedly tried to pull her into the car; a white, four-door newer-model sedan, similar to a Ford Focus.  

When the girl refused to enter the vehicle, the suspect grabbed her by the wrist. The girl was able to break free and ran away to a nearby location, where she spotted a police officer. The suspect got back in the car and left in an unknown direction. 

The girl was not injured and her mother responded to the scene, the PPD reported. 

The PPD subsequently issued a “Be on the Lookout” warning to surrounding agencies and later put out an informational bulletin to the public.

The suspect is described as a Hispanic man in his late teens, approximately 5 feet 7 inches tall, 150 pounds, with dark hair and was wearing a grey hoodie-style sweatshirt and blue jeans. 

The case is under investigation.