Two teen girls nearly kidnapped on same day in Broward. Cases could be related
A 15-year-old girl was on her morning walk to school in Pompano Beach Thursday when a would-be-kidnapper almost whisked her away, authorities say. Just 11 miles away and two hours later in Fort Lauderdale, a 17-year-old girl also was nearly abducted.
Now, law enforcement agencies in the two cities suspect the cases might involve the same suspect.
The first incident happened around 6:45 a.m. Thursday. The 15-year-old was walking near the 200 block of Northwest 12th Court in Pompano Beach when an unknown man driving a grey sedan stopped behind her, the Broward Sheriff’s Office said.
The man ordered her to get in his car, but the girl refused and walked on. He continued to drive next her, this time pointing a gun and demanding she get in the car. She sprinted away to a safe place and called 911.
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Surveillance video captured the near-kidnapping and the car speeding away. BSO detectives believe the man is between 20 and 35 years old. At the time, he had facial hair and was wearing a white tank top and black gym shorts.
The second incident happened around 8:20 a.m.. A 17-year-old girl was also walking to school in the 1600 block of Southwest 5th Place, just 11 miles from the earlier attempted kidnapping, Fort Lauderdale police said. An unknown man drove up to her in a gray sedan, possibly a Nissan, with dark tints and a missing front passenger side hub cap.
He called out to her and then tried to lure her into the car at gunpoint, police said. She repeatedly told the man she had to go to school before he sped away. Detectives believe the man is between 20 and 25 with short curly hair.
Police said it is aware of the sheriff’s office investigation into the Pompano Beach attempted kidnapping. Both agencies believe the cases are related. Detectives are working together to determine the connection and whether the suspect is the same person.
Anyone with information on the Pompano Beach attempted kidnapping is asked to submit a tip through the SaferWatch app. For the Fort Lauderdale incident, tipsters are asked to call Detective Erica Payne at 954-828-6487.
An anonymous tip can be made by calling Broward Crime Stoppers at 954-493-8477, going online to browardcrimestoppers.org or dialing **8477.
This story was originally published August 31, 2024 at 7:08 PM.
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