Galveston police released surveillance video of a man who they say attempted to kidnap a 13-year-old girl. (Galveston Police Department)
Galveston, Texas
Police in Texas say they’re searching for a man who attempted to kidnap a teen girl on Monday morning.
According to Galveston police, officers were called just before 7 a.m. after teachers at Central Middle School reported that a 13-year-old student was approached and grabbed by a man while she was walking to school.
Police said they spoke to the student, who told them she heard footsteps approaching from behind near the 900 block of 28th Street that morning.
The student told officers that the man grabbed her from behind, and after a brief struggle, she bit him twice, broke free, and ran to school, the department shared.
Police said the student’s parents helped them retrace the girl’s route from that morning to identify the location where what reportedly happened.
Investigators said they obtained surveillance video from a business on 24th Street that showed the student walking, followed shortly by a man who was also taking the same path.
Authorities said the man appears to be a white or Hispanic man. He was wearing a black short-sleeve shirt, blue jeans, and what appeared to be a ski mask.
Galveston police are requesting the public’s help in identifying the man in question.
Authorities urged anyone with further information to contact the Galveston Police Department at 409-765-3777.
Police said the girl suffered no injuries in the kidnapping attempt and they have alerted medical facilities to notify them if anyone seeks treatment for bite-related injuries.