St. Pete police investigating possible abduction attempt

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla - A 15-year-old girl walking to her friends house Monday afternoon said a man walked up behind her, grabbed her upper arm and told her to 'get in,' St. Pete police are reporting.

The teen was walking in the 6600 block of 1st Avenue South around 3:30 p.m.

Police said the teen kicked the suspect in the groin area and was able to break free and run away.

According to a press release, the teen did not get a good look at the suspect who she could only describe as an older white male who was wearing black gloves and blue jeans.  The teen did not see if the man had a car parked nearby, police said.

A similar incident occurred at 11 a.m. near 26th Avenue North and 66 Street when a 14-year-old girl was approached by a man driving a white Lincoln Navigator.

The teen told police the male driver, who she described as Hispanic and having light skin, pulled the car in front of her, stepped out and made a flirtatious comment.  The teen also said the man was wearing a white T-shirt and blue jeans.

The man also asked the teen if she needed a ride, police said.

The teen kept walking and called her father from her cell phone as the man got back in the car and drove off, police said.

Investigators are unsure if these two cases are related but are considering it a possibility.

If you have information about either case, you should contact the St. Petersburg Police Department at 727.893.7780.