San Diego police sought Wednesday a man who attempted to kidnap a 10-year-old girl and a 8 1/2-year-old boy as they were walking home from Jerabek Elementary School in the Scripps Ranch neighborhood.
The pair noticed a red Jeep following them as they walked alongside Scripps Trail near Timberlake Drive around 3:45 p.m. Tuesday. The driver repeatedly pulled over and waited for them to pass, and eventually got out through the passenger side door, San Diego police Officer Robert Heims said.
The man tried to grab the boy, but the girl pushed him out of the way. The suspect then grabbed the girl's backpack, but it slipped from his grasp, according to the officer. The children ran up a hill to get away as the suspect got back in his Jeep and fled.
Police described the suspect as roughly 5-foot-8 white man with dirty blond hair and a "messed up" left eye. He was wearing a white T-shirt, camouflage pants and red and white shoes. The Jeep was red with black fenders and a black top.
Anyone with information about the attempted kidnapping was asked to call Crime Stoppers at (888) 580-8477.
