Signal Hill police said a man tried to kidnap a 16-year-old girl as she walked home from school near 19th Street and Cherry Avenue Tuesday afternoon.
Police only described the man as an Asian male between 20 and 30 years old, driving a gray four-door sedan with paper plates. He pulled alongside the girl at about 1 p.m. near Nelson Academy and asked her for directions, police said.
She continued to walk away, ignoring his request. He then exited the car approached her, grabbing her by the arm, police said.
“The victim immediately reacted and pushed the suspect away from her and fled toward home,” police said in a written statement.
The man drove off south on Cherry Avenue.
The department is asking the public’s help in locating the man. To report information, call Sgt. Russ Hefte at 562-989-7214.