Hayward police search for clues in latest attempted kidnapping
This is spring break week for the Hayward Unified School District, but we're told the superintendent was in contact with the police chief Monday morning in light of a third attempted kidnapping.
The 16-year-old victim told investigators she was walking home from Hayward High School in the area of Fletcher Lane and Walpert Street between 3:45 p.m. and 3:55 p.m. when a man grabbed her and pulled her into the back seat of a white four-door sedan.
Hayward Police Lt. Jeff Snell said the suspect got on top of the girl inside the car and pulled out a gun. The victim told police she struggled with the suspect and fought him off. She escaped and ran to her residence, where she called 911 and reported the incident to her parents.
"This is an extraordinary circumstance for any 16-year-old to face and we're proud of her for the way she reacted to this," Snell said.
This is the third time in six weeks an attempted kidnapping has happened in Hayward. The first two separate incidents were reported near Tennyson High School and also involved men who targeted teenage girls. The suspects were each reported to be driving a white sedan, possibly a Honda or a Toyota.
Snell said it is possible the suspect in Friday's case could be the same person linked to the two prior attempted kidnapping cases.
The suspect is described as a Hispanic or East Indian man in his early to mid-20s with a thin build, about 5 feet 6 inches to 5 feet 7 inches tall, short dark-colored hair, and a thinly manicured beard and goatee.
He was wearing a gray hooded sweatshirt with the letter "A" and other unknown writing on the front, black shorts and brown woven sandals. His vehicle was described as similar to a Toyota Prius or Chevrolet Volt.
According to a spokesperson for the Hayward Unified School District, the district and the Hayward Police Department will co-host assemblies at Tennyson and Hayward High Schools when students return from Spring Break on April 6.
The girl was forced into a car by a man with a gun, but she fought back.
They plan to offer information and safety tips to students in light of the recent attempted kidnappings.
Anyone with information about the incident is encouraged to contact Hayward police at (510) 293-7034.