Daily Journal Staff reports
More officers will be patrolling Greenwood neighborhoods today after a mother reported a man tried to abduct her 4-year-old son.
Police are unsure of what the man’s intentions were but are investigating the case and asking for anyone who witnessed the incident or has any information to call detectives.
The incident happened at 8:15 a.m. Tuesday in Trotters Pointe Apartments, off Main Street on the east side of Greenwood.
A 4-year-old boy ran across the yard while his mother was trying to get five other children ready for school. His 9-year-old sister ran after him and saw a man trying to get the boy into his truck, according to a Greenwood Police Department news release.
The man grabbed the boy’s hand and tried to walk him back to his truck and promised him candy, the release said.
The girl then grabbed her brother’s other arm, pulled him away from the man and ran back home, the release said. The man let go of the child immediately, the girl told police.
They told their mother what happened, and she called police. She did not witness the incident, and police have not yet found any witnesses.
The truck, which was white and muddy, was last seen on Combs Road. The incident happened in the 2300 block of Harness Way, on the north end of the apartment complex, which is located off Combs Road, east of Interstate 65.
Both the children were interviewed, and investigators believe the man did try to get the child in his truck, Greenwood Police Department assistant chief Matt Fillenwarth said.
Detectives are unsure of why, Fillenwarth said. For example, if the man saw the child running across a yard and stopped to see if he needed help, police are asking that he call detectives to explain what happened and put the community’s fears at rest, Fillenwarth said.
Because of the report, additional Greenwood police officers will be patrolling neighborhoods this morning, police said.
The man was described as having a medium build, with a beard and a buzz-cut, and was wearing sunglasses, the release said. The truck may have had an extended cab.
Anyone with information is asked to call Greenwood Police Det. Doug Wood at 317-882-9191, ext. 195.
