Derby police looking for man who tried to abduct 3-year-old
Derby police were searching Wednesday afternoon for a man who tried to abduct a 3-year-old child earlier in the day.
The child’s mother hit the man twice, forcing him to let the child go and return to a van, police said.
According to police, here’s what happened:
The incident took place about 10:20 a.m. Wednesday in the 200 block of East Kay in Derby. A woman was walking with her two children when she noticed a black van following them.
As the van pulled alongside, an man in the van asked them if they wanted candy or cookies. The woman declined.
When the van stopped, a male passenger jumped out and grabbed the 3-year-old by the shoulders. That’s when the mother struck the man.
The van left the area and headed west toward K-15.
The suspect who tried to grab the child is described as white, in his 30s, 5-foot-7 to 6 feet tall, slender build and with blond hair. He was wearing a tan T-shirt, blue jeans and tan shoes.
The van’s driver was also white and had facial hair.
The black van was described by the woman as a church van with at least three rows of seats.
Derby police asked that anyone with information call 316-788-1557, 911 or Derby Crime Stoppers at 788-8477.
Reach Rick Plumlee at 316-268-6660 or rplumlee@wichitaeagle.com. Follow him on Twitter: @rickplumlee.
This story was originally published October 1, 2014 at 3:54 PM with the headline "Derby police looking for man who tried to abduct 3-year-old."