Girl, 11, Abducted Off Worcester Street, Fights Off Kidnappers

WORCESTER, MA — An 11-year-old girl escaped from two men who pulled her off a Worcester street on Sunday night, police are reporting.

The attempted kidnapping happened just before 8 p.m. in the Vernon Hill area. According to police, Andrew Merriam, 51, of Hudson, and another man walked up to the girl near Endicott and Vernon streets and asked if she wanted to see their dog.

Merriam then grabbed the girl, police said. She was able to escape by kicking him. She then ran into a nearby business to call 911, police said.

The girl described Merriam to police, and he was later found walking along Vernon Street — but was alone. He was arrested and charged with enticing a child, attempting to commit a crime and assault and battery. Merriam also recently lived in Marlborough.

The girl was not injured during the attempted kidnapping, police said.