Would-Be SMC Kidnapper Sought: Recognize This Man?

SAN MATEO, CA — San Mateo police detectives are asking the public's help in tracking down a man who tried to abduct a 14-year-old girl in late September and who may have also tried to abduct a different teenage girl in a separate incident just days prior.

The man is described as Middle Eastern in appearance, in his late fifties or early sixties, unshaven, with an average build and slicked-back black-and-gray hair. He was last seen wearing a gray and blue T-shirt, according to police.

On Sept. 27, the 14-year-old girl told officers she was on Peninsula Avenue near San Mateo Drive on her way to San Mateo High School when a man in a white utility van honked at her.

The man got out of the van and grabbed the girl by the shoulder, pulling her toward him, police said. She kicked the man and ran home, then called police.

Police later learned about a similar event that happened Sept. 18 in the vicinity of Delaware Street and Peninsula Avenue.

"While investigating the aforementioned incident, SMPD Detectives were made aware of another incident were a man matching the description of the attempted kidnapping suspect had approached a 16-year-old female and offered her a ride home days prior to the September 27th incident," police said. "The 16-year-old declined and left the area without any further contact with the man."

Since the incidents occurred, authorities have put together sketches based on descriptions provided by the young girls. Both are attached to this article.

Police are increasing uniformed patrols around schools and areas where children might congregate, and are asking anyone with information about the two events to call Detective Roberto Gonzalez at (650) 522-7668 or rgonzalez@cityofsanmateo.org.

— Bay City News Service contributed to this report / Images via SMPD