Deputies Investigate Abduction Attempt East of New Haven

Franklin County deputies are investigating a report of an attempted abduction east of New Haven Monday night, April 16.

A 14-year-old Gray Summit boy told deputies that a friend gave him a ride to New Haven that night to visit a relative. The boy said no one was home when he arrived so he decided to ride his bicycle back to Gray Summit.

He said shortly before 11 p.m. he was about a quarter mile east of New Haven when a man in a maroon truck pulled over and offered him a ride. The boy said he accepted the offer and placed his bike in the truck bed.

As he started to get in the truck, the boy said he had an “uneasy” feeling and changed his mind. As he was getting out the truck, the driver grabbed him by the arm and tried to pull him back in, according to the sheriff’s office report.

The boy told deputies he got his bike and fled, then started knocking on doors until a resident took in him and called the sheriff’s office.

Deputies are asking for the public’s help in identifying the man, described as a tall, white male, large in stature and having a deep voice. He was wearing a light-colored shirt.

The victim described the suspect’s vehicle as a maroon 1997 to 2000 Ford pickup truck with a gasoline engine. He said he believes the man drove off west on Highway 100 after the incident.

Anyone familiar with the truck or suspect or who may have seen the vehicle and victim stopped along Highway 100 Monday night, is asked to contact the sheriff’s office at 636-583-2560.