Police release video of attempted abduction

NEW BRITAIN, Conn. (WTNH) -- New Britain police have released video of a suspicious mini-van that was caught on camera pulling up to a little girl and then racing away as the little girl sprints home.

The little girl told police the man at the wheel tried to kidnap her.

"We never want to see a child go in to the vehicle of an unknown person," said Sgt. Jeanette Saccente. "You never know that they're going to do."

The 11-year-old girl in the video perhaps saved her own life by running the other way. It's the light gray or silver mini-van though, that New Britain Police hope you can help identify.

"Probably an older model. It was described as being very dirty on the bottom.  Possibly mud from driving down a dirt area or something like that, along with tar and speckling, as if it had been used extensively," said Det. Michael Cummiskey.

The attempted abduction happened around 8 a.m. last Friday morning on Highland Terrace, and it was captured by a neighbor's surveillance camera.

Police say they weighed the pros and cons before deciding to publicize the video.

"We balance everything that we're going to need for prosecution with furthering the investigation by making some of this information public," saif New Britain Police Chief James Wardwell.

The van's plates possibly included the letter "X," and the driver's side door apparently had to be opened from the outside handle. The suspect is tan, possibly Hispanic, in his 30s or 40s, had salt-and-pepper hair, a narrow face, and an unkempt beard.

"Somebody out there will be familiar with this, and it's of the utmost importance that they come forward, contact us, even anonymously," Det. Cummiskey said.

New Britain Police say the intended victim did everything right, and they want to remind everyone of what some of those right things are.

"If they're going out somewhere, take a direct route wherever they're going, let their parents know what route they're going to take, when they get to their destination call their parents up or text them and let them know that they're there," Sgt. Saccente said.