Series of Attempted Abductions Have Police on the Look-out

Police and staff at Barfield Elementary in Murfreesboro are on the look-out for a man who has been attempting to abduct school children.

According to NewsChannel5 in Nashville, on January 29th, a young girl escaped after a man ripped the screen from the window of her bedroom around 7 AM and attempted to abduct her at gunpoint. The suspect pulled the girl from her bedroom window and took her out of the home. She was able to escape into her backyard where her parents later found her, crying and hugging her dog. She described him as a white man with a mustache around five foot six and 170 pounds, wearing black pants and a black hooded jacket.

On February 3rd, another attempted abduction occured in the same general area. This time, a suspect pulled his car up beside two twelve year old boys as they were walking their dog. The suspect had a puppy and tried to lure the boys twice to his car. He was described as a white man between 40 and 50 with dark eyes and brown hair. He was wearing a light colored shirt. There was no mention of a mustache, though police say sometimes predators change their appearance to avoid detection. The Daily News Journal reported that the boys claimed the suspect drove a gold or grey car with a lot of junk inside. After working with a sketch artist, police arrested a suspect matching the description but the boys were unable to identify him in a line up. Media coverage of the first attempted abduction apparently did not deter the suspect, if it is the same one. Police have released a composite sketch.

The nearby Barfield Elementary has been put on code yellow, which is not a lock-down, but they are practicing extra vigilance. The principal told television news media NewsChannel5, and WSMV4 that no one will be allowed to just walk into a classroom. Children are allowed outside during recess time, but only during close supervision and must stay close to the school. It is not known if the suspect is stalking the school but officials say it is best to be safe. Children will also not be allowed to walk home by themselves. There were three reports of a suspicious looking man looking at the school from a nearby tree lined area, and looking at the backs of houses in the same area. "Parents want to know what we are doing to help protect their children." the principal of Barfield Elementary said.

Police are concerned. They are urging extreme caution in the area, and urge anyone noticing anything suspicious to call them immediately.

Sources: NewsChannel5, WSMV4, The Daily News Journal