Police Report Possible Attempted Abduction

The City of Walla Walla Police Department contacted the school district this evening about an investigation of a possible attempted abduction.

The district received the following information from the City of Walla Walla Police Department regarding this incident:

Date: December 1, 2022

Contact: Captain Eric Knudson
Phone: (509) 524-4405
Email: eknudson@wallawallawa.gov

Public Warned of Possible Attempted Abduction

WALLA WALLA, Wash. — On December 1, 2022, at around 5:30 PM, Walla Walla Police Officers responded to the area of Ransom Road and Cottonwood Road for a report of a possible attempted abduction.

The following was reported by an 11-year-old female victim.
• The female was walking home from an after-school activity at Prospect Point School.
• While walking southbound on Cottonwood Road near Ransom Road, she heard the footsteps of a subject approaching from behind.
• The suspect grabbed the female by her hair, but she was able to break free and run away.
• The suspect gave chase until the female knocked on the door of a nearby home.
• The female stated the suspect ran back towards a dark colored van that was parked on Cottonwood Road. It is unknown if the suspect fled in the van or if the van was involved.

The suspect is described by the 11-year-old as being a white male, 60 to 70 years-of-age with a “stalky” type of build. He has short brown hair with blond tips, and sideburns. He was wearing a black colored sweatshirt with dark colored blue jeans. Police ask residents with security cameras who live in the areas around Cottonwood Road between Prospect Avenue and Austin Street to please review surveillance video that may aid with our investigation. Anyone with information can contact dispatch at (509) 527-1960 reference case #2022-25423

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Please review Stranger Danger tips with students and remind them of the importance of telling their parents, school officials and police if an incident like this occurs.

HERE ARE SOME TIPS YOU CAN GIVE YOUR CHILDREN REGARDING STRANGERS:
• Always tell your parents where you are going.
• Try not to walk anywhere alone. Walk with a friend.
• Don’t take shortcuts through the woods, a back street or empty lot.
• Bad people do not always look mean or scary.
• Do not get close to strangers. Make sure you have room to run.
• Don’t tell your name or address to a stranger.
• Never go with a stranger to help look for a lost pet or play a game.
• Never get into a car with anyone you don’t know.
• If a stranger bothers you, run away and ask an adult for help.
• Know safe places you can go – a police or fire station, the library, a store or a friend’s house.
• If a stranger follows you or grabs for you, yell loud! Shout, “I don’t know you!” Fight back and make as much noise as you can.
• If anyone touches you in a bad way, say, “NO!” Get away and tell an adult you trust. Keep telling until someone listens.
• Tell your parents about places you don’t feel safe.
• Talk to your parents and come up with a secret code word. Never go with anyone unless they know the secret code word.

IF YOUR CHILDREN ARE OLD ENOUGH TO STAY ALONE, BE SURE TO TELL THEM TO:
• Know how and when to call 911.
• Never open the door to a stranger.
• Never tell anyone on the phone you are home alone.
• Never tell any callers your name, number or address.
• Hang up right away if you do not like what someone is saying on the phone.

PARENT TIP
• Always have an updated photo of your child. On the back put important information such as, name, date of birth, height, weight, and hair and eye color.