RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas –
Randolph law enforcement authorities are advising parents to make sure their children follow basic safety rules when they are by themselves following the recent abduction of a 14-year-old girl who attends a nearby high school.
The age-old admonition "Don't talk to strangers" is one of the pieces of advice they offer.
"Make sure your children know they shouldn't talk to anyone they don't know," said 12th Security Forces criminal investigator James Palermo.
The incident occurred April 8 at 8 a.m. as a 14-year-old female was walking near Marilyn and Colony drives on her way to Samuel Clemens High School in Schertz. A male suspect allegedly forced her inside his pickup truck and later dropped her off near FM 1518 in Selma. The victim provided Schertz police with a description.
The suspect is believed to be a Hispanic male in his 20s or early 30s, weighing about 165 pounds, who was driving a 1983 to 1988 red Ford Ranger pickup truck.
"This incident is bound to have a lasting effect on her and her family," Mr. Palermo said. "Even though we may live in areas where crime is minimal, we must remember no city or town is immune."
He said there are other safety rules children should follow:
· Walking with friends is always better than walking alone.
· When you are walking and someone approaches you in a vehicle trying to get you inside, run away to a place where other people are around and notify grownups or police quickly.
· If other people are around, start kicking and screaming using phrases such as "Help, this is not my father" that will draw immediate attention.
· If you are threatened with a weapon and don't feel able to safely run, try memorizing as much information as possible, such as the type of vehicle and tattoos or other personal markings.
· As soon as you get away, call 911 immediately to report the incident.
· According to information provided by Schertz police, children are often specifically targeted for abductions by strangers. They said abductors look for children who are alone or isolated from others in public, appear neglected, are slight of build or frequent hangouts such as arcades and parks.
· They also said locations such as isolated areas and short cuts taken by children is important to abductors.
According to information provided by Schertz police, children are often targeted for abductions by strangers. They said abductors look for children who are alone or isolated from others in public, appear neglected, are slight of build or frequent hangouts such as arcades and parks.
They also said locations such as isolated areas and short cuts taken by children are important to abductors.
Mr. Palermo said incidents in progress should be immediately reported by calling 911. People with information about incidents that have occurred on base should call 652-5700.