Girl, 12, fights off abductor, wins freedom

Police were searching on Wednesday for a man who abducted a 12-year-old girl Tuesday evening in Weber County but let her go when she fought for her freedom. The girl and her 9-year-old brother were riding bikes on 4400 South near 4277 West in West Haven about 6 p.m. Tuesday when the man drove up in a 4-door pickup truck, said Weber County sheriff's Capt. Klint Anderson.

The man told the pair he was missing a puppy and asked for their help. He got out of the truck and handed the girl a piece of paper with a phone number on it. The girl and her brother then rode their bikes away from the man. But, the man grabbed the girl off her bike, dragged her and threw her into the back seat of the truck, Anderson said.

The girl, recognizing it was a dangerous situation, fought and screamed, punching the man in the back of the head, gouging at his face and trying to scratch him, Anderson said. When the man got to the end of the street, he told the girl to get out. "I think that she created too much commotion," Anderson said. "She was much more than  he expected."

The man was described as a Caucasian male 25 to 35 years old and about 5 feet 10 inches to 5 feet 11 inches tall with nearly collar-length brown shaggy hair and a thin build. He was wearing khaki shorts, a T-shirt, white tennis shoes, white athletic shocks and a baseball cap. He also had a blue spike piercing just below his lower lip.

The man was driving a silver or gray Ford or Chevrolet 4-door pickup truck with a charcoal gray leather interior. "I think he's a serious threat," Anderson said. "It's safe to say that this is a pretty bold attempt at a kidnapping."

Those with information were asked to call the Weber County Sheriff's Office at 801-629-8221. - Justin Hill

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