Locals stop attempted abduction

Updated: 8/15/2005 12:57 PM
By: News 10 Now Web Staff

Syracuse police were calling two people heroes this weekend after they both risked their safety to stop an attempted abduction.

They say, 49-year old James Gilkeson followed a 10 year old girl into the Big Apple Market on Castle and South Salina Street around 10 am Saturday.

Witnesses say after talking to the girl inside the store, Gilkeson then followed her in his car as she walked down South Salina street.

Police say Gilkeson opened his car door and asked the girl if she needed a ride, when she said no, he grew more insistent, until she finally got in.

Monique Williams was driving down the road and saw what happened, she pulled along side the car and with the help of a nearby D-P-W worker, they blocked him in until police arrived. Williams says she knew right away something wasn't right.

"Her expression and when I asked him if he knew her. Just seeing the car door swing open and him raising back up so it was obviously apparent he opened the door that in itself just caught me," Williams said.

Police Chief Gary Miguel praised Williams for her efforts saying, "It’s about citizens taking their community back and that's what takes place here. When you have individuals like Monique Williams and Mr. Searight who are aware of what is taking place in their community, who are not afraid to get involved you have what could very well have been a tragedy get averted because of those actions."

James Gilkeson is charged with endangering the welfare of a child.

Police say the investigation is ongoing, and they are looking into whether or not he is connected to other similar cases across the state. He will be arraigned Monday morning.