Police search for attempted kidnapper, mother of little girl speaks out

SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- Police in South Bend continue to search for the man they believe tried to kidnap a 9-year-old girl Tuesday evening. The little girl was walking to a friend's house when a man pulled up and tried to grab her near the intersection of Indiana Avenue and South Vernon Street.

“(He) got out, yelled to her ‘Hey you, little girl stop.’ She went to walk off. He kept telling her to stop. And, he walked up. As soon as he lifted his arm to grab her, she took off running.” The victim's mother, who wished to stay anonymous, said.

According to the victim's mother, the assailant continued to chase her daughter, initially on foot and then got back into his car and continued his pursuit.

“All of her friends were outside. A big crowd of kids. As soon as she got to the kids, he stopped.” She said.

According to police, the little girl and her mother, the man was driving a two door silver Volkswagen Beetle. The victim's mother believes she has seen the vehicle in the area before.