Smithfield teen jogger says man tried to abduct her

Smithfield, N.C. — Smithfield police are searching for a man who they believe might have tried to kidnap a 16-year-old girl out running Tuesday night.

The girl was in the 1200 block of South Crescent Street around 8:30 p.m. when someone in a car pulled up behind her, grabbed her by hair and waist and then picked her up, police said Wednesday.

She began screaming and struck the man in the face before escaping without any injuries.

While police are looking for leads, residents in the area of South Crescent Street are looking to get back their peace of mind.

"I hope they find him. I hope they find out who did it," Jane Brougthon, who has lived in the neighborhood for nearly 30 years, said Wednesday.

"Everyone here knows each other," she said. "We watch out for each other. We've seen our children grow up together."

That makes what happened Tuesday night even more disturbing, neighbor Addison Grantham said.

"I mean, I've got a little sister. She's also 16," he said. "I mean, that could have been her."

The teen described her attempted kidnapper as a black man in his 30s or 40s who had long dreadlocks and was wearing a hooded jacket and loose pants. He was 6 feet tall and weighed 180 to 200 pounds, police said.

He was last seen driving south on Crescent Street in a small black vehicle with a large dent in the right rear portion.

Anyone with information that could help police is asked to contact the Smithfield Police Department at 919-934-2121 or 919-989-1063.

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Latest Comments

"she probly just made it up...just an attempt to make black peopel look bad."

I've gone back and forth in my head many times trying to understand what circumstances could have prompted you to post such a ridiculous comment. I got nothing. Do you honestly believe what you posted? If so I hope someone from outside of your family or community gives you a hug real soon!

1775
April 27, 2012 9:50 a.m.

You people are disgusting. This happens in a quiet neighborhood to an innocent girl and many of you respond with criticism and doubt. You don’t know the girl and you weren’t there when it happened. I hope they find this sick person. How would you feel if this person tried to snatch up your daughter and members of your community responded with such heartlessness? My prayers go out to her and her family. Thank god she is ok.

hannahM
April 19, 2012 3:05 p.m.

carrboroyouth - I would imagine that jogging with a gun is much less safe in general... that was my train of thought. You bounce up and down during a good run and I wouldn't advocate an iPod in one hand and a pistol in your fan ny pack. Am I crazy in thinking this is a bit of an overreaction?

There are many holsters/retention systems available that will adequately secure your firearm while running. Even the fan ny packs designed for handguns have some sort of holster/straps inside of them, you just don't throw a handgun in the fan ny pack loose and unsecured.

Most people in law enforcement have to run from time to time and I don't seem to recall their handguns flying all about.

Anyway, I would argue that listening to music on an ipod while running, especially on the street, in traffic, is a lot more hazardous to your health than carrying a handgun while running.

When seconds count, the police are only minutes away.

molṑn labé

Gooseye
April 18, 2012 7:45 p.m.

well just saw interviews from the neighbors (meaning more than one)that live on the street. obviously this will turn out to be a lie. the neighbors said they heard no screaming. AND they had their windows up. SMH..