Man Tries To Grab Teen, Chases Her In Jefferson County
JEFFERSON COUNTY, Colo. (CBS4)- Deputies in Jefferson County are trying to find a man who attempted to kidnap a 16-year-old girl and chased after her when she got away from him.
A Jefferson County Sheriff's deputy was flagged down near the town of Idledale by the teenager about 2:35 p.m. on Thursday. She told the a deputy that just a few minutes earlier she had been jogging through Little Park when a man tried to talk to her and get her to go somewhere with him.
When she told him no, that's when he grabbed her by the arm and started to drag her. The victim was able to break free from his grip and ran away but he continued to chase her.
Deputies say she was very brave to try to get away from her attacker.
"He then grabbed her by the arm and started to drag her, she was very brave, very frightened. She did fight back and broke free from his grip," said Jeffco Sheriff's Office spokeswoman Jacki Kelly.
After a short distance the victim lost him and flagged down a deputy. Although she was unharmed she was extremely frightened.
Deputies have gone door-to-door to inform residents to be on alert for the suspect and also take action to protect themselves.
"It worries me that it's not a safe area in the summers anymore, but it is a safe area, I've grown up here but it's just kind of disappointing to hear," said Jeffco resident Leanne Carberry.
The suspect is described as a white or Hispanic male, 25-35 years old, 5-foot-10, 150 pounds with short black hair. He was wearing black sweat pants, a grey hoodie, white shoes and dark sunglasses.
"It's happened once. What we know about the history of this kind of predator is that this normally doesn't stop at once so we'd like to find this person and take care of the problem," said Kelly.
Deputies recommend taking a cell phone along during runs or hikes and always be aware of your surroundings.
Anyone with information regarding this crime or the suspect is urged to contact the Sheriff's Office tip line at 303-271-5612, or call Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at 720-913-STOP(7867).
