GIRL, 12, ESCAPES FORCED ABDUCTION ATTEMPT ON WAY TO SCHOOL TODAY IN HUNTSVILLE

HUNTSVILLE — Police are looking for witnesses here who may have seen a man who attempted to force a 12-year-old girl into his car this morning as she was walking to school.

Police are investigating the attempted abduction in Huntsville, a May 4, at about 8:15 a.m.

They say she was approached by a male in the area of Earls Road and Muskoka Road 3 North.

And that the man attempted to force the girl into his vehicle.

She was able to escape and did not suffer any injuries as a result of the interaction before reporting the incident to Huntsville OPP who commenced an immediate investigation.

The male is described as white, about 30 years old, of average height, with a thin build, brown hair and with a closely-shaved dark brown beard. He was wearing a black leather jacket and blue jeans.

His vehicle is described as a black four-door car.

Investigators would also like to identify a female jogger who was in the area between 8 and 9 a.m. and may have witnessed the incident.

They are also asking residents in the area of Earls Road and Muskoka Road 3 North with surveillance or dash cam footage during the same hour to contact police immediately.

Parents/guardians are encouraged to have a conversation with their children about being approached by strangers and the associated safety precautions. More information and tips are available at https://missingkids.ca/en/how-can-we-help/stranger-abduction/prevention/.

The OPP takes all public safety threats seriously and provides resources necessary to assess and respond to such threats.

Any person with information regarding the above investigation is asked to contact the Huntsville OPP at 1-888-310-1122. Should you wish to remain anonymous, you may call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or submit information online at www.ontariocrimestoppers.ca where you may be eligible to receive a cash reward of up to $2,000.