Crime & Safety

UPDATED: Attempted Greenburgh Kidnapping Now 'Suspicious Incident'

The Greenburgh Police Department is searching for a male suspect who tried to abduct an 11-year-old Wednesday.

Updated at 3:00 p.m.

"The initial report that the male attempted to abduct the child has been ruled out by police,"Greenburgh Police Lt. Brian-Joseph Ryan ssaid in a statement. "However, this incident is still an active investigation."

Updated at 1:39 p.m.

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 "The Greenburgh Police are now reclassifying the incident as a suspicious incident,” Greenburgh Police Lt. Brian-Joseph Ryan, commanding officer of the Special Investigations Unit, told Patch. "The initial reports led police to believe that an attempted abduction may have taken place. Based on information we are developing in this case, there was no overt attempt made by the alleged suspect to abduct or restrain the young girl. Further, there was no physical contact between the two."

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Original Story

An 11-year-old girl managed to ward off a would-be kidnapper this morning while waiting for the bus.

The Pocantico Hills student was waiting for her bus at Payne and High streets in Elmsford at about 7:55 a.m. Wednesday when she noticed a man who exited his BMW and walked toward her, according to Greenburgh Police Lt. Brian-Joseph Ryan, commanding officer of the Special Investigations Unit.

The man continued to walk toward her when she became frightened and walked in the opposite direction, Ryan said.

"According to the 11-year-old, the male began to follow her towards S. High St. at which point she began to run and eventually made it to a neighbor's house a short distance away," Ryan said. "The girl was unharmed and had no contact with the suspect."

The suspect is described as a white or Hispanic male, with dark hair, a small mustache, wearing a burgundy colored jacket. He was driving a gray or blue metallic colored BMW with gold, NYS plates.

Greenburgh Police are investigating the case.

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