MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Memphis Police are on the hunt for a man who tried to kidnap a 16-year-old girl while she was waiting at a MATA bus stop to go to school.
The victim told police a man in a grey hoodie with a thick mustache held a knife to her neck and tried dragging her into the woods nearby.
It happened in South Memphis near McLemore and Texas Monday around 7 a.m.
Detectives said they spent Tuesday in the area looking for clues or anyone who may have seen something.
“[Suspect] grabbed her around her neck and jaw and had the knife to her neck,” said the victim’s mother, who asked to remain anonymous for safety reasons. “[The victim] said [the suspect] had let the choke hold go to try to grab her down her back, so I guess he was trying to grab her around her pants.”
The victim then reportedly clawed, kicked and broke free. She sprinted up the block and called police.
“I don’t know if his intentions were to rape her in those woods,” said the victim’s mother. “It makes me think he watched her. She was only riding that bus route for three days.”
Monday was different though. Her mom said the first bus she usually takes was ten minutes late forcing her daughter to wait for her transfer.
“Had the MATA bus been on time, she would had met her [route] 17 on time. She wouldn’t have been standing there,” said the victim’s mother.
MATA riders told WREG they are on guard and planning to keep an eye out for fellow passengers.
“Very disturbing. I don’t have any young children. I do kind of watch out for the younger people,” said rider Vernell Marshall.
The attempted kidnapper got away. He was last seen running down Texas.
“He is going to do this again,” said the victim’s mother. “He’s not going to do this to my child though. I’m going to make sure of that.”
Physically, the victim is doing okay.
If you can help police find the suspect, call CrimeStoppers at 901-528-CASH.
