9-Year-Old Girl Escapes Abduction

In case you notice a lot of police helicopters and activity around town, Tampa Police officers are searching for a suspect who tried to abduct a 9-year-old girl in the Lowry Park Central area on Friday, May 11.

Police said that the child first saw the suspect in her grandparent's backyard which is next door to her own home.

When the child turned around to pick up some items, the man surprised her by grabbing her arm and asking the child to take him to a specific location, Tampa Police spokesperson Andrea Davis said in a press release.

The 9-year-old girl screamed, pulled her arm away and ran inside her home to alert the mother, who jumped in her car and tried to search for the suspect before calling 911, police said.

The child was not injured.

Tampa Police officers are searching for the suspect throughout the city. Officers are also checking area businesses for any surveillance video.

The suspect was described as a white male, 20-30 years old, 5-foot-9 to 5-foot-11, with blue eyes, short brown hair, light facial hair, earring in right ear, and wearing a class ring with green jewel. He was last seen wearing black basketball shorts with red and white on the sides and a white tank top.

Anyone who sees someone matching the suspect's description is asked to call 911.