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‘Brave of her:’ 5th-grader hits man with bag of candy in attempted abduction

Posted at 12:19 PM, Feb 15, 2019
and last updated 2019-02-15 12:19:37-05

**Embargo: Milwaukee, WI**
West Allis police are investigating an attempted child abduction after investigators say a little girl was grabbed on her way to school Thursday morning, Feb. 14.

WEST ALLIS, Wis. (WITI) – Police in Wisconsin are investigating an attempted child abduction after investigators say a little girl was grabbed on her way to school Thursday morning. A Valentine’s Day gift may have saved her life.

“It’s unsettling, especially living around here,” said Angelina Camacho, who lives near where it happened.

Parents in the area were hit with fear learning the news.

“It’s scary. We have kids who walk all the time,” said Chini Lorenzana, who also lives nearby. “You send your kids to school, the next minute you’re getting a phone call.”

According to police, a fifth-grader was on her way to Horace Mann Elementary School near 68th and Mitchell around 8 a.m. when a man in an SUV approached and asked for directions.

When the girl ignored him, investigators say the suspect followed, pulled over and got out. Police say the man grabbed and pulled the girl by her wrist, which may have worked if not for a holiday present in her hand.

Investigators say the girl struck the man with a bag of candy, causing him to let go. She ran safely to school.

“She did everything right and she told the school when she got here and that’s pretty awesome. Pretty brave of her,” Lorenzana said.

On a day dedicated to love, parents say after this they will not be taking their eyes off their Valentines.

“Parents need to keep their kids close. Hug them, kiss them, squeeze them,” Lorenzana said.

Authorities describe the suspect as a male with tan-ish skin (possibly Hispanic), 30-40 years of age, about 5 feet 2 inches to 5 feet 5 inches tall, average build, clean-shaven, and wearing a black beanie winter hat, jacket to mid-thighs, and grey tennis shoes with black trim. The suspect had a “sluggish” walk/limp.

Officials describe the suspect’s vehicle as an SUV, possibly shaped like a Ford Explorer, with four doors and tinted windows. The SUV was dirty and the color was described as silver or white with “sparkles.” The wheels on the SUV were bigger than normal.