Woman Uses Umbrella To Fight Off Kidnapper At Bus Stop: Police

SAN RAFAEL, CA – San Rafael police are investigating an attempted kidnapping today after a woman reported that shortly before 1 a.m. she missed her bus in San Rafael and was walking back to her workplace when a man reportedly jumped from a dark-colored minivan and tried dragging her inside.

The victim told law enforcement the incident occurred after she left her employer on Civic Center Drive and was walking toward the bus stop at the Marin County Civic Center.

"The victim stated a man got out of the van, grabbed her from behind and began pulling her toward the van’s open sliding door," the San Rafael Police Department said. "The victim fought back, striking the suspect with her umbrella. The suspect let go of the victim and fled the area in the van."

The vehicle last was reportedly seen heading south on Civic Center Drive, police said, while adding that the woman ran from the area and called police.

Officers from the San Rafael Police Department and the Marin County Sheriff’s Office searched the area, but could not find the van, officials said.

The suspect was described as an Hispanic man between 20 and 30 years old, approximately 5 feet 8 inches tall, with a muscular build, according to authorities.

The woman said he smelled of alcohol and body odor, police said.

Anyone with information about the case can call San Rafael police at 415-485-3000 or leave an anonymous tip at at http://www.srpd.org/tips.

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