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Focus Is On Sex Offenders In Aurora Attempted Kidnapping Search

AURORA, Colo. (CBS4) - Police searching for the man who pulled an 8-year-old girl from her bedroom window are interviewing sex offenders as part of their investigation, and CBS4 has determined there are plenty to talk to in the area.

The crime happened early Monday morning at a home on the 1600 block of Hanover Street. Police say a man pulled off a window screen and opened an unlocked window at about 12:15 a.m. He grabbed the girl, who had been sleeping, out of her bedroom. He then dragged her into an alley and apparently attempted to put her into his car.

The girl's screaming woke her father and he ran into the alley behind the home where she was running back towards him. The girl was taken to the hospital, treated for minor injuries and released.

RELATED: Reward For Attempted Abduction Suspect Grows To $20,000

Aurora police say there are 900 registered sex offenders in Aurora. Chief Dan Oates says each of those offenders will be contacted as part of their investigation.

"And we are querying any and all prior incidents in the Denver metro region," Oates said in a news conference on Monday.

Rebecca Mason and her young children live a few doors from the girl's home. She told CBS4 she frequently monitors the sex offender website SOTAR (sotar.us), which is described a "comprehensive database of registered sexual offenders in the metro area."

SOTAR shows that there are 370 registered sex offenders live within a two mile radius of the girl's home.

"There are several in our neighborhood," Mason said.

Mason and other parents in the neighborhood are now pledging to help catch the man responsible.

"I hope the parents know we have our eyes open, because we're parents. We're here to stand by them to get this man off the streets," she said. "It could have been me. I feel for these parents, I really do. It's very concerning."

On Tuesday the nearby William R. Roberts Elementary School was placed on partial lockdown, a move many parents applauded.

"I was definitely nervous but when I got an email from the school about all the precautions that were taken I felt my kids were in great hands and very safe. It's scary though," parent Ann Hudock said.

The following is a sketch Aurora police released of the suspect:

Hanover Kidnapping Suspect Sketch copy
A sketch of the suspect (credit: CBS)

The suspect was described as being a white man with blonde hair who smelled of cigarettes. He was last seen wearing a black winter jacket and could be driving a silver or gray BMW.

Additional Resources

Aurora police posted the following information in a bulletin about their case:

Aurora Police are asking anyone who may have witnessed this incident or has any information on this case to please call Detective Christine Hurley at (303) 739-6113. You can also provide information on this case and remain anonymous by calling CRIME STOPPERS at 720-913-STOP (7867). You may also text your tip to 274637 (CRIMES) then use the title DMCS and enter your message.

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