Good Samaritan stops attempted kidnapping in Reedley, police say

REEDLEY, Calif. (KFSN) -- UPDATE: Reedley police say that after further investigation, there was no attempted kidnapping.

Reedley Police are on the lookout for a man who came close to kidnapping a teen girl Monday on her way home from the school bus stop in a neighborhood near the city's busy Manning Ave.

It was around 3 pm when investigators said she heard what turned out to be a white van pull up behind her, and someone suddenly grabbed her, trying to yank her backward.

Sgt. Gary Kincaid says that's when someone else stepped in.

"There was a Good Samaritan somewhere in the area that saw what was going on, grabbed onto the victim's arm and helped pull her away," he said.

The department is now looking over evidence and leads of the attempted kidnapping but still wants to speak to the Good Samaritan to learn more.

The Kings Canyon Unified School District has offered emotional support services to the teen and her family.

The district says parents have been reaching out with concerns, many using the incident as an opportunity to talk with their kids.

"They are training their students, reminding them how to be safe on the way to and from school," says Sergio Rodriguez.

In Kings County, Hanford Elementary School District parents say they received an email of a similar incident happening to a boy walking home from school.

The district's superintendent confirmed to Action News that Tuesday, a student walking from Simas Elementary was approached by an older bald man with a white beard driving a white van with no windows.

She said the man asked the child if he wanted a ride home before the boy ran home and reported the incident to a parent.

Sgt. Kincaid says kids can often become distracted with devices and phones while walking home. He recommends all parents have a conversation with their children about awareness.

"Focused on their surroundings, focused on what's in front of them as well as what is around them until they get home safe," he said.

Reedley Police are asking anyone who may have seen the attempted kidnapping, maybe has pictures or video, to contact them.