NORTH HARRIS COUNTY, Texas – Residents at the Bella Vida apartments in North Harris County are on high alert after a man allegedly attempted to kidnap a 13-year-old girl over the weekend.
The complex put out a letter and photo of the alleged suspect who appears to also be touching himself.
“He was right here, He was back through here, walking up and down this street, literally lurking looking for kids,” said resident Keviona Herndon.
Herndon, who has only lived at the complex for a few months, is now considering moving out due to the attempted kidnapping.
The Harris County Sheriff’s Office reported that the victim’s parents told them their daughter was riding her electric scooter around 8:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 3, when a man approached and grabbed her arm.
The young girl dropped to the ground and began screaming, prompting the man to let go and run off.
Eliza McQueen, another resident, shared that her 9-year-old daughter is no longer allowed to go outside alone.
“She’s not walking from school anymore by herself. She’s no longer taking the trash out by herself, so she’s not coming outside at all by herself,” McQueen said. “It’s just scary, very disturbing that people are even like that. I’m hoping they up the security around here in this area because, yeah, that’s very frightening.”
Ashley Eckerle, another parent, said she read the complex’s email to her daughter to warn her about the possible danger nearby.
“We don’t live in the best part of Houston, but nothing like that ever happens, so it’s a bit more scary,” Eckerle said.
If you any information on the incident or the man in the photo you’re asked to call the Harris County Sheriff’s office.
