Man Attempts to Abduct 16-Year-Old in Oakton

UPDATE (5:20 p.m.): Oakton High School officials has confirmed the 16-year-old victim was walking to the school when the attempted abduction occurred.

The school sent out an email alert to students and parents Wednesday afternoon after the Fairfax County Police sent out a press release.

The Oakton High email said the suspect asked the victim for directions and to come to his car as he retrieved a way of writing down the directions on paper. He asked the 16-year-old to sit in his car after he said he didn't have anything to write with, then tried to force her into the seat. She broke away and is not injured.

Oakton High's website includes a page on personal safety tips. Click here to see the page.

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A 16-year-old girl broke free and ran away from a man who attempted to abduct her around 6:30 a.m. Tuesday in Oakton.

The girl was walking along Blake Lane, near the intersection with Palmer Street, when a man standing on the sidewalk engaged her in conversation. He asked her to get in his car, she refused, and he attempted to force her into his car.

"When he grabbed her, she did scream," said Officer Don Gotthardt, a spokesperson for Fairfax County Police Department. "From reading the report, it seems clear her scream was not simply out of fear. It was an alert to anyone in the surrounding area. So I applaud her for her courage."

The victim said she believes the suspect was driving a Honda Fit, describing it as a white, four-door, sub-compact with a “Baby-on-board” sign on the driver’s side. She described the suspect as possibly Hispanic, in his early to mid-20s, 5 feet 6 to 5 feet 9 inches tall with a thin build, and short, black hair. He had an eyebrow piercing and two piercings in his left ear. He was wearing blue jeans and a short-sleeve shirt.

Police are investigating the incident. School Resource officers and school security are aware of the situation and are taking the appropriate steps to ensure students' safety.

"There will be an increased vigilance in and around the school in question," Gotthardt said.

Police would not release which school the 16-year-old attends.

Safety tips for walking:

• Walk with a friend. "There is always safety in numbers," Gotthardt said.
• Carry a whistle or something that makes loud noises to attract attention.
• Carry a cell phone to be ready to dial 9-1-1, if necessary.
• Report the incident as soon as possible.
• Trust your gut. "If something doesn't seem right, it probably isn't."
• Stay in well-lit areas.
• Avoid wooded areas.