PD warns parents of attempted abduction

BRISTOL, Conn. (WTNH) -- Parents in Bristol may want to talk to their kids after a 9-year-old boy was approached by a stranger.

The dangerous encounter happened as the boy was walking home.

Police want to make parents aware of the attempted abduction not to scare them, but to help prepare and protect their kids.

"They should be aware that this does take place on occasions," said Lt. Donald Watson, Bristol Police Department.

Bristol Police report a grayish/green colored van, with no back windows, pulled up around 7:30 Monday night, in the vicinity of Beech and North Pond streets.

However, what he did next has parents in the neighborhood concerned.

Police say the man was pretty brazen, actually getting out the van not only approaching the boy, but yelling for him to get in the van. The boy ran home.

"Of course the boy did the right thing and he ran, got home, parents should call as soon, if this ever happens, as soon as the child gets home so we can immediately get to the area," said Lt. Watson.

This time officers responding did not locate the man, nor the van, but the boy was able to give them a description of the suspect. 

The boy described the suspect as a light-skinned black man with facial hair, approximately 5'7" tall, wearing a dark winter coat and baseball cap.

Detectives want to get this information out not only so parents can warn their kids, but to maybe track the suspect down.

"It's an alert, just be on the look out and then of course if there is a witness that comes forward and saw this and has additional information that is part of it too," said Lt. Watson.

Bristol schools have been told of the incident.