HUNTINGTON BEACH : Would-Be Abductor of 2 Girls Is Sought

Seal Beach and Huntington Beach detectives are investigating separate incidents, in which a man tried to force two girls, ages 14 and 12, into a vehicle. The later attempt happened Tuesday.

Investigators have not determined if the cases are related, Huntington Beach Police Lt. Ed McErlain said.

At 10:45 a.m. Tuesday, the 12-year-old was standing with her friends at the corner of Lampson Avenue and Seal Beach Boulevard when a man drove up and asked for directions.

The man “attempted to pull the victim into his vehicle,” Seal Beach Sgt. Rick Randfell said. “The victim broke free and escaped with her friends.”

Police said the man drove away in an old, red, two-door car in poor condition, possibly a Plymouth Duster.

On July 28, a man matching the description in Tuesday’s incident pointed a gun at a 14-year-old girl and tried to force her into a stolen van, Huntington Police said.

The girl, whose name was not released, was riding a motorized scooter in the 10000 block of Crailet Drive at 2:20 p.m. when the man pulled up to her in the van and asked if she was familiar with the streets in the area, police said.

The man then pulled the van closer, opened the passenger door, pointed a small-caliber handgun at the girl and ordered her to remain silent and get inside, police said.

The victim moved back slightly and the suspect backed up the van, police said. The victim then began to scream, got off the scooter and ran to a residence where two people were sitting on the front porch. The man then fled.

In both kidnaping attempts, the man was described as a white, about 30 years old, with a medium build, about 5 feet, 8 inches tall, with curly dark hair and possibly a mustache. The Huntington Beach police released a composite drawing of the man in that attack.

Anyone with information should call Detective Mike Nakama at (714) 536-5962.