White City, Ore. — Jackson County Sheriff’s Deputies are on the hunt tonight for a man they said attempted to kidnap a young boy in White City Wednesday morning.
Sheriff’s deputies said they responded to an attempted child abduction call in the neighborhood on the 3600 block of Avenue G around 7:30 Wednesday morning.
Deputies said the victim, a 12-year-old boy, was walking home from the bus stop when a middle aged man approached him and tried to kidnap him.
The suspect is described as a Hispanic male in his mid-30’s to mid-40’s with a goatee. He was seen wearing a 49ers baseball cap and an orange long sleeve shirt and black pants.
After a struggle deputies said the boy got away and ran home, but the suspect ran too.
Residents in Suncrest Mobile Estates woke up to deputies swarming their streets. But many of them said they weren’t surprised, according to them, crime in the area continues to get worse.
“I have a granddaughter who lives here who’s 10, I worry about her and watch her constantly,” Neighbor Benny Barnett said.
He said residents are now discussing forming a neighborhood watch group.
An idea Pat Ellis said she supports completely. She’s lived in her home in Suncrest Mobile Estates for 18 years, and said crime is on the rise and she’s concerned about the neighborhood kids.
“I’m going to be very very observant. I already told the parents this morning I’m going to be up watching the kids walk to the bus stop,” Ellis said.
Deputies are urging anyone with information to call the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office.
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