NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 8, 1998

NO LEADS IN

CARY ATTEMPTED KIDNAPPING

CARY, NC -- Cary Police today continue the search for a man who attempted to kidnap a 12 year old girl late Wednesday. Police have canvassed area neighborhoods with a composite drawing of the suspect, and area schools have been put on notice as well. There are no strong leads at this time.

On May 6, 1998, at about 3:20 PM, the East Cary Junior High School student was walking on SE Maynard Road to Henry Adams Elementary School on Cary Towne Boulevard when she was approached by a man in a black car who, in Spanish, told her to come to him and get in the car. She ran, and he pursued her on foot until the two reached other children near the elementary school. At that point, the man turned around, and the girl made it to the school without harm.

Cary Police report that similar, but likely unrelated, incidents have apparently occurred recently near other Wake County Schools, including Millbrook High School, West Cary Middle School, and Hilburn Elementary School. Therefore, as police search for the suspect, they are taking this opportunity to raise public awareness of such issues as stalking, domestic violence, and other crimes against woman and children.

"Unfortunately, this type of thing is not new," said Cary Police Lt. Chris Hoina, referring to Wednesday’s incident. "This is behavior that needs to be discouraged and that women of all ages need to be aware of." Hoina is encouraging citizens to contact Interact at 828-7501 for information on safety procedures all woman should learn to avoid being taken advantage of in these situations.

The suspect in Wednesday’s attempted kidnapping is Hispanic, in his late 30’s-early 40’s, 6’ tall, 220 lbs., muscular build, shoulder-length wavy black hair, and last seen wearing a white tank-top, dark blue or black pants, and no shoes. He has three, parallel scars on his right arm. He was driving an older model, black, two-door car--possibly a Mercedes--which appeared to have had some damage.

Cary Crimestoppers, in cooperation with the Town of Cary, will pay up to $2,500 for information leading to the identification and apprehension of the individual responsible for this crime. Anyone with information may contact Crimestoppers at 460-INFO (460-4636) or Cary PD Juvenile Investigations at 460-4917. All calls will be kept CONFIDENTIAL at caller's request.

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PRIMARY CONTACTS: Lt. Chris Hoina, Cary Police, 460-4917
Marie French, Interact, 828-7501
Bill Coleman, Town Manager, 469-4002
Susan Moran, Public Information Officer, 460-4951