Hayward police release sketch of attempted kidnapping suspect

HAYWARD, Calif. (KGO) -- Police in Hayward are investigating the attempted kidnapping of a teenage girl. It happened Friday afternoon near Hayward High School. It's the third attempted abduction in the last six week, but this latest crime involved a gun.

Jamie Jamerson just heard about the attempted kidnapping of a teenage girl just one block from the park where she takes her six kids.

"I'm glad she got away, but that's really scary," Jamerson said.

Police say the 16-year-old girl was walking home from Hayward High on Walpert Street about 4 p.m. Friday when she was grabbed by a man and pulled into the backseat of his car.

"Suspect got into the car on top of her in the backseat and produced a handgun. She was able to fight the suspect off and escaped the vehicle," Hayward Police Lieutenant Jeff Snell said.

The brave girl wasn't hurt. She ran home and her parents called 911. The girl told police the man was driving a white 4-door-sedan that was possibly a Prius or a Chevy Volt. The suspect is described as Hispanic or east Indian, in his mid-20's, 5 feet 7 inches tall with a short beard.

It's a similar description to this suspect who tried to grab a girl walking home from Tennyson High School on March 6.

There also was a similar incident with a man who tried to kidnap another teen on Feb. 20. Both girls got away.

"We are investigating the possibility that the three incidents are related," said Lt. Snell.

"Hopefully they'll catch that predator," one neighbor said.

Neighbors living on Walpert Street are on alert.

"I'm going to keep my eye out for cars and people who look suspicious, and call it in. Better safe than sorry," Patricia Geeslia said.

Police are asking students not to walk to school alone. That's something Jamie Jamerson told her kids, long ago.

"They don't live too far from school, but there's no exception," said Jamerson.

Anyone with information about the incident is encouraged to contact Hayward police at (510) 293-7034.