Detectives canvass Fairfax County neighborhood for attempted abduction suspect

ALEXANDRIA, Va. - Detectives in Fairfax County canvassed a neighborhood on Wednesday after a young girl says a man tried to abduct her.

The 8-year-old girl reported the incident a week ago on Jan. 24. According to a flyer being passed out to residents, the girl got off her school bus at Frye Avenue and Madge Lane in Alexandria at around 5:15 p.m. Neighbors tell FOX 5 the area is a popular route for school kids.

The girl told police as she walked, a man tried to talk to her. When she refused, he grabbed her arm. She broke free and ran. The man ran after her, but eventually gave up. The girl was able to make it home and report the incident.

The suspect is described as a black man in his 40s or 50s, about 5 feet 6 inches tall with a medium build. He has short hair, a short beard, a mole on his right ear and a tattoo on his right inner forearm. He was wearing a black zip-up jacket with gray pockets, a black baseball hat with gray writing, black pants, black shoes and a black or gray backpack.

"There are some other witnesses that suspect they have seen him before," explained Fairfax County Police Officer Kent Bailey. "That is why we are trying to confirm that and see if there is anybody else who might have seen him in the past out here."

This area is just two blocks from where detectives were searching for missing Fairfax County teenager Jholie Moussa.

On Wednesday night, about 20 detectives with Fairfax County police's Major Crimes Bureau as well as Mount Vernon Police Department participated in the canvass efforts.

Anyone with information on the suspect is urged to call Detective Hengemuhle at 703-246-3086 or the Fairfax County Police at 703-691-2131. People can also submit a tip anonymously through Crime Solvers by visiting www.fairfaxcrimesolvers.org or by texting "TIP187" plus your message to CRIMES (274637). Anonymous tipsters are eligible for cash rewards of $100 to $1,000 if their information leads to an arrest.