The Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station is investigating a reported incident of attempted kidnapping that occurred this morning near Dockweiler Drive and Valle Del Oro, Newhall.

A Newhall resident, male age 10, reported that he was walking to J. Michael McGrath Elementary School, Newhall, when he saw a man sitting in a parked car near the same curb line of the sidewalk he was walking on.

As the boy approached the car the man got out of the drivers seat and walked towards the sidewalk. As the boy walked past the car, the suspect reportedly reached towards him and grabbed his shirt sleeve.

Don’t miss a thing. Get breaking news alerts delivered right to your inbox

The boy reports that he pulled away and continued walking towards an elderly female who was walking a dog nearby and asked her for help. He said the female’s dog began barking at the man who returned to the car and left the area.

The elderly female who was walking her dog has not been located and detectives from the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station would like to speak with her.

The suspect is described only as a male, 5’10” tall, weighing 160 pounds, wearing a white hooded zip up style sweatshirt with a “bone” diagram on it.

The vehicle is described only as newer model, light blue in color, 4-door, yellow paper plates with black writing on them.   

Detectives are working to verify the details outlined in the initial report. The Santa Clarita Sheriff’s Station is seeking public assistance from anyone who may have seen this man or witnessed the above described incident.

Officials from J. Michael McGrath Elementary School immediately activated their telephone notification system to inform all parents of the reported incident. 

The Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station will be conducting increased patrols in and around area schools.

All residents are asked to be extra vigilant in reporting suspicious persons matching the above description by calling (661) 255-1121 or 9-1-1 in an emergency.

By taking a few precautions, you can greatly reduce the risk to yourself, and also discourage those who are intent on committing crime.

Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station officials are offering the following personal safety tips:

•Always be alert and aware of the people around you, especially if you are alone or it is dark.
•Use the buddy system — Children should never walk alone
•Educate yourself concerning prevention tactics.
•Be aware of locations and situations which would make you vulnerable to crime, such as alleys, dark parking lots, and remote, unlit, or sparsely traveled walkways and pathways.
•Whenever possible, travel or walk with a friend.
•Stay in well-lighted areas as much as possible.
•Avoid doorways, bushes, and alleys where someone could hide.
•Walk confidently, and at a steady pace.
•Do not respond to conversation from strangers on the street when other risk factors are present, continue walking.
•Don’t set a pattern – use different routes of travel and varying times when walking, exercising, or leaving your house or place of business.
•Immediately report suspicious activity or persons in your neighborhoods to the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station.
•Be a good witness – Try to get a vehicle license plate number. If you can’t get the vehicle license plate number try to get as much identifying information about the vehicle or person as you can. Such as, color, make, model, damage, type of rims, stickers, etc. pertaining to vehicles. Clothing, scars, tattoos, oddities, etc. pertaining to people.
•Take a cell phone picture or video of the person or vehicle if you can safely do so. Save/store the information in your phone or PDA.
•Write down license plates of unfamiliar vehicles in your neighborhoods in case something comes of them at a later date. The information may solve a case should a crime be occurring.