The quiet air of suburbia, most notably, the small block area of School Lane at Black Horse Park in Plymouth has been shaken by news of the attempted abduction and assault of a 16-year-old girl.
Police say it happened about 6:35 p.m. Wednesday. The 16-year-old was walking by when the man came up behind her seemingly out of nowhere.
"Said that he wasn't going to hurt her, and then he punched her in the stomach hard enough that it dropped her and she was out of breath. He threw her over his shoulder and was taking her into a wooded area," Deputy Chief John Myrsiades of the Plymouth Police said.
Scared out of her mind, the teenager was resisting, screaming and trying to make a phone call to get help.
"She eventually was free, she kicked him in the groin and ran away and he ran in a different direction," Myrsiades said.
Police now think he may be the same guy being sought in a rash of peeping tom incidents.
"It's something that doesn't normally happen in this area, but you always have to be aware, you always have to be careful," Myrsiades said.
The assailant is described as a white male in his mid-20's, he had a short brown or black mustache and a scar over his left eye. He was last seen wearing a black hooded sweatshirt with black pants and possibly had on black and white Chuck Taylor sneakers.
"It's crazy cause it's like a nice neighborhood and now people from different areas are coming in here and starting trouble, we've never had problems in this neighborhood ever," resident Liz Fackler of Plymouth Township said.
"We're going to be more vigilant, keep an eye on the kids that are around," resident Emitt Beloatch said.
"I live right down the street, so if this is going on in the area, you have to really be careful. I feel comfortable sometimes letting my kids go to the park but now, I will not," resident Keisha Minick said.
Police say, the good thing is the 16-year-old was a brave girl and did the right thing and was lucky to get away. They fear the next one may not be so lucky and that's why they want to catch him. Anyone who thinks they may have information based on the composite description is being asked to call police.
