10-Year-Old Florida Girl Escapes 2 Kidnapping Attempts By Same Man, Police Search For Suspect

The police in Florida are on the lookout for a man, who reportedly tried to kidnap a 10-year-old girl on two separate occasions in Fort Lauderdale.

The potential abductor had approached the girl on two separate occasions, while she was on her way to school, Local10 reported. The incidents took place near Bennett Elementary and Sunrise Middle schools, Detective Ali Adamson said.

The kidnapper first approached the young girl on the morning of Oct. 19, and attempted to lure her with candy, money, and other items. After she declined, the suspect attempted to grab her, but she managed to run away, a statement by the Fort Lauderdale police issued on Oct. 21 said.

The suspect was identified as a white male between his 30s and 40s with a medium build, brown and receding hair, along with glasses. The girl said the man was driving a black cargo-style van with sliding doors that had possible damage to the rear light and no windows.

"She said this man had parked the van on the side of the street and he came over and he opened the door and he asked her if she wants some candy," the victim's mother told Local10.

The same suspect approached the girl again on the morning of Oct. 20, while she was on her way to school, but this time on foot. She immediately ran toward the school in order to escape the man, the police added in the statement.

In the second incident, the man said to the girl, "you know, yesterday you didn't get your candy or anything, here's your candy," the mother told the outlet.

A witness saw the man talking to the young girl and proceeded to ask her if she knew him, WSVN reported.

"She says no. At the same time she's saying no, the suspect says yes, they do know each other and that he is her grandfather. The witness, realizing that something's not right, instructs the 10-year-old to run," Fort Lauderdale Police detective Ali Adamson said, as reported by the outlet.

In security footage accessed by WFLA, the young girl can be seen running rapidly down a street, eventually slowing down when she got far away from the man.

"These incidents are of great concern to us and we need your help finding the person responsible," Fort Lauderdale Police added in a statement. "Due to the circumstances, we are considering this a possible attempted abduction."

People with information about the suspect were asked to call Fort Lauderdale police detectives at 954-828-6559 or Broward Crime Stoppers at 954-493-8477.

As authorities look for the suspect, Broward County Crime Stoppers announced a reward of up to $5,000 for any information leading to his arrest.