Police are on the hunt for a man who tried to abduct a teenage girl.
Police say a 14-year-old girl was walking to Beverly Hills Middle School in Upper Darby on Tuesday around 8:45 a.m. Suddenly, police say, she was confronted by a driver who pulled up beside her at Ashton and Springton roads.
Police say the man asked the girl if she wanted a ride but she ignored him and kept walking. The man then allegedly drove around the block and approached the girl a second time. Police say the man then began to yell at the girl, telling her to get into the vehicle. The girl ran into a nearby soul food restaurant and told the owner about what happened.
"She was frantic," said Alston Ross, the owner of the restaurant. "Thank God I was there for this little girl and was able to assist her."
Police say the man spotted Ross walk out of the store with the girl and then drove down Sherbrook Boulevard towards Garrett Road
"It was clear that for him to pull over and stop, that he was determined to get to this little girl," said Ross.
Ross walked the girl to her school where administrators and police were notified.
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"Obviously from a victim's perspective she did everything right which is to get to a safe place and look for an adult," said Chitwood.
The Upper Darby School District sent out phone messages alerting parents of the attempted abduction. They also posted a message on their website.
While many in the community are hailing Ross a hero, he claims he was only doing what he felt was right.
"I'm not a Good Samaritan," he said. "That child came to me and I was going to help her."
The suspect is described as a black male between the ages of 30 and 40, with short, possibly balding hair and light facial hair. He was last seen wearing a dark zippered, hooded sweatshirt. Police also say he was driving a black 4-door sedan, possibly a Buick. Finally, police say his vehicle is a late 80’s or early 90’s model with a squared-body style and silver hood ornament.
If you have any information on this incident, please call Upper Darby Township Police at 610-734-7677.
