Perryville Elementary School. (Photo: Dustin Wilson, KTHV)
PERRYVILLE, Ark. (KTHV) - A man driving a brown GMC truck attempted to abduct two 9-year-old children in Perry County Tuesday morning, according to the Perry Co. Sheriff's Office.
The day began just like any other for the two girls. Around 7:30 a.m. they waited for the school bus.
"And a white male, Caucasian male, they believe to be in his forties, bald-headed with a goatee approached them in his vehicle and tried to coach them into getting into his vehicle and leave," said Perry County Sheriff, Scotty Montgomery.
The girls, who stood near the intersection of Pine and West Valley Streets, quickly ran from the stranger.
"The girls made their way to these older kids and these older kids as a group together this gentleman seen that, or this person I should say, seen that and went about on his way. That's something else that we try to tell these kids make sure you stay in a group," said Sheriff Montgomery.
The students told authorities the man drove a two-tone brown GMC pickup truck with a decal of a deer on the back window. The sheriff's office sent out a "be on the lookout" to surrounding counties and Arkansas state police and Sheriff Montgomery warned parents to be aware of their kids' whereabouts.
"Every morning at the bus stop and every afternoon at the bus stop, the school resource officer is working that area and staying in that area while the kids get off the bus," said Montgomery.
Authorities do not know where the man is at this point. The only lead is they believe he headed south on Highway 9, going out of Perryville.