Police Patrols Increase After Attempted Kidnapping of Young Girl
Suspect approached 12-year-old in New Britain
Monday, Jul 16, 2012 | Updated 7:04 AM EDT
A young girl from New Britain told police that a man tried to lure her into his minivan. A neighbor's surveillance system captured the whole incident.
New Britain Police are increasing patrols on Monday after a 12-year old New Britain girl was nearly kidnapped in her neighborhood on Friday morning.
The girl told police a man in a minivan approached her while she walked along Highland Terrace to catch a bus to her summer camp around 8 a.m. on Friday. Police are still looking for the man.
"This old gray car drove by me and the guy was using his arm to signal me to come to him, so I just kept on walking and started speed walking," Kiley, the victim, said. Her parents asked us not to use her last name.
It was the first time she'd ever walked alone, she said.
"He had done a u-turn and was following me and that’s when he stopped the car and told me that he has a movie for me and I asked if I know him and he said, 'Ya, come here,'" Kiley said.
Police released a surveillance picture of the minivan, which appears to be missing a hubcap. The entire incident was caught on tape thanks to the six surveillance cameras mounted on the outside of a nearby home.
"She looked fine walking until she noticed the vehicle was approaching," said the homeowner with the cameras, who asked us not to identify him.
"His window was open and he reached his hand on the outside, the door handle, and he pushed it from the inside and that's when I ran and I ran through a couple backyards and I ran upstairs and told my mom," Kiley said.
The man is believed to be older with a gray beard and gray hair, according to police. The victim told police the van's license plate had a "X" in it and that the bottom of the vehicle was dirty.
"My mom and my dad they always tell me if this ever happens to you ever, just run. Don't even think, just run," Kiley said.
"This week. my wife was talking to my daughter about the exact same situation. If you ever get approached. you gotta know what to do, and thank God my daughter knew what to do," said Jim, Kiley's father.
Anyone who was in the area around 8 a.m. on Friday and might have information is asked to call the New Britain Police Department Criminal Investigation Division at 860-826-3135.
