Masked culprits sought in possible kidnap attempt at bus stop, police say

Orange County Sheriff's Office investigates incident

ORLANDO, Fla. – The Orange County Sheriff's Office is seeking the public's help in finding the masked assailants connected to a possible kidnapping attempt of a Glenridge Middle School student who was at a bus stop.

The incident was reported between 8:30 and 8:45 a.m. Monday at the intersection of Turquoise Lane and North Forsyth Road near Cheney Elementary School in Orlando.

Deputies said a 15-year-old girl was waiting at the bus stop when a vehicle pulled up. The Sheriff's Office has not released any other details about the incident but said sex crimes detectives are investigating. 

The principal of Glenridge Middle School, Trevor Honohan, sent out a recorded message to parents Monday afternoon saying that the student ran away from the area after she was approached.

"We will continue to work with law enforcement in their investigation," Honohan said. "Please know that the safety of our students is our No. 1 priority. Parents, please remind your child if they see something, they should say something."

The driver of the vehicle was described only as light-skinned, deputies said. The passenger was described as a black male with dreadlocks wearing black clothing, deputies said. Both were wearing ski masks, deputies said.

The vehicle was described as a light blue, newer model four-door sedan, possibly a Nissan, and it did not have a license plate, deputies said.

Parents at the middle school said they've never had any problems, but are still watchful. Suzanne Costner said she tries to keep her daughter in groups, just in case.

 

“Child abuse, child abduction, that's not the kind of thing that's limited to one particular area or one particular kind of place,” Costner said.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call Crimeline at 800-423-TIPS.

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