A teenager walking home in Westminster on Monday night was almost abducted, if not for a passing vehicle slowing down and scaring off the assailant, police said.
The incident happened at about 8 p.m. in the area of West 110th Place and Harlan Street, according to a Westminster Police Department media release.
The 15-year-old told police she was walking home when a man, who appeared to be “intoxicated,” began following her.
The girl crossed the street and the man followed, grabbing her from behind. The teen, who was on her cell phone,”refused” to hang up from a call and she grabbed onto a fence post as the man “tried to carry her away.”
Two cars drove by and the second vehicle, a dark-colored SUV with tinted windows slowed down. At that moment the assailant loosened his grip and the girl escaped, running to a friend’s house.
Police suspect the assailant may have been trying to drag the victim into an open space area to sexually assault her.
The assailant is described as a Hispanic man in his mid-20’s, about 5-feet 5-inches tall with a muscular build and short dark hair.
He was wearing a white tank top and blue jeans at the time of the attempted attack.
A friend of the victim, who was on the other end of the cell phone, called 911 to report the incident.
Police, using a dog, searched the area but did not find a suspect.
Investigators are hoping that the drivers, or passengers, in the two cars that passed by will call them with information.
Anyone who may have witnessed the incident, or who has information on a possible suspect, is asked to call police at 303 658-4360 or Crime Stoppers at 720 913-STOP (7867).
Kieran Nicholson: 303-954-1822 or knicholson@denverpost.com
