ST. MARYS - St. Marys Police Department is looking for a man they believe tried to abduct a young boy early Wednesday evening.
At around 6:35 p.m., police were alerted to a possible attempted abduction on Washington Street close to St. Marys Elementary School, police Chief Bill Stull said.
Children were playing on the school playground when a 10-year-old boy was leaving on his bike.
On the street, the boy was approached by a man in a compact to mid-sized gray car that stopped near him, Stull said. The driver opened the passenger-side door and ordered the boy to get in, he said.
''The kid was scared and he knew not to get in the car,'' Stull said. ''He started backing up.''
The driver apparently got out of the car, came around and tried to grab for the child, Stull said.
The boy fell over. The suspect realized there were adults nearby at the playground and the commotion might attract their attention, Stull said.
''The suspect got back in his car and fled the scene,'' Stull said.
The suspect is described as a white male, 5-foot-6 with a medium to slender build. He is described as having dark hair and a mustache.
He was allegedly wearing a dark blue T-shirt and a ballcap with a lot of orange and white color to it, Stull said.
Police questioned people at the playground and alerted surrounding law-enforcement agencies to be on the lookout.
Stull said this should be a reminder to everyone to "keep their eyes open."
The youth told his family about the incident and a family member then contacted Stull, he said.
Anyone with information is asked to call the St. Marys Police Department at (304) 684-7011 or e-mail the department at smpdwv@frontiernet.net.
