OCEANSIDE, Calif. (KGTV) - A 16-year-old girl told Oceanside Police a man, possibly homeless, tried to kidnap her Thursday morning as she walked to El Camino High School.
The girl was walking east on Mesa Drive near Vanilla Way at 7:20 a.m. and passed the man heading the opposite direction. After she walked by, the man turned and grabbed her in a bear hug, police said.
The man struggled with the girl, who was able to break free when he fell to the ground, according to investigators. The girl arrived at school and notified security about the incident.
Oceanside Police units and a drone were deployed to find the man but were not successful.
The girl described the man as dirty or "possibly homeless" according to police, white, in his 50s, 5’9 inches tall, and very thin. He was wearing a tan pullover sweatshirt with a zipper and baggy black jeans. Police said the man may be bald on top of his head with short light brown hair on the sides. He also had a scab on the right side of his neck, the girl reported.
Oceanside officers are asking anyone with information to call the department’s Family Protection Unit at 760-435-4690.
