Area police warn of kidnap attempts
by Daily Hampshire Gazette
SUNDERLAND - Two similar incidents in neighboring towns have police on the lookout for men suspected of possibly attempting to abduct young women, police said Wednesday.
Tuesday at around 9:45 p.m., a woman was walking two small dogs on Silver Lane when a light-colored minivan or SUV followed her closely for some time, it was reported to town police.
The suspect opened the door but said nothing. Sensing that something was wrong, the woman picked up her dogs and ran away, police said.
The man stopped the vehicle and chased the woman on foot. When she got home and shut the door behind her, the man returned to the car and drove off, according to police.
Sunderland police described their suspect as in his mid-30s, bald, with a medium to slim build.
A man in a vehicle of the same description apparently tried to abduct a woman in the same fashion in Hadley, on the afternoon of Feb. 26, according to Sunderland and Hadley police.
The man, described only as balding with dark hair, approached a 17-year-old girl in his car to ask directions and if she wanted a ride. The young woman, who was jogging in her Hockanum Road neighborhood, declined, Hadley police said. The suspect parked and followed her on foot, in apparent pursuit. When he got within 10 feet, she ran home and phoned police.
Sunderland police are urging residents, particularly young women, to use caution when walking and to call the police at the first sign of suspicious cars driving slowly or stopping for long periods in front of homes.
Sunderland Police can be reached at (413) 665-7036.
- CHASE SCHEINBAUM
