Sketch Of Suspected Child Abductor Released In Cleveland Heights

CLEVELAND HEIGHTS, OH — Police have released a composite sketch of a man suspected of trying to lure a 12-year-old boy into his truck on April 24. Chief Annette Mecklenburg said officers have yet been unable to identify the suspect.

The boy was getting off a bus near Crest and Wood roads when the man asked him to get into his vehicle. The boy ignored the man and kept walking and the truck drove off. No one was hurt.

Officers were quickly assigned to the area and began investigating. However, despite the department's best efforts, the suspect remains unidentified, Mecklenburg said. "Therefore, a composite sketch has been completed in hopes that someone may be able to help us identify this male," she wrote on NextDoor.

The suspect is believed to be a middle aged white man, with black and gray hair, dark colored eyes and a thick black and gray mustache. The sketch of the man is above this article.

The truck the man was driving is a burgundy color and has rust near the rear driver's wheel. It is believed the truck had Ohio license plates, but the plate numbers are unknown. "One resident has reported seeing a truck matching the description in the area previously, typically on the day of trash collection," Mecklenburg said in late April, after the incident occurred.

There have been no other incidents involving this suspect, the police chief said.

Anyone that can help police identify the suspect is asked to contact Cleveland Heights Police at 216-321-1234 or on the department's tip line at 216-291-5010. Callers can remain anonymous.

Sketch from Cleveland Heights Police