Attempted kidnapping in Athol

ATHOL, Mass. (WWLP) - In Athol, a 9-year-old girl was almost kidnapped Tuesday morning as she was walking to school.

In a news release, Athol Police Department Chief Timonthy Anderson said a man in his late 20’s to early 30’s approached the girl in the Wheeler Street area just before 8 am.

He got out of a full size silver or light gray 4-door pickup truck and told the girl “come here,” according to the news release. When the girl ran away, the suspect got back in the truck and started following her until she ran into a friend.

Athol Police Department describes the suspect as a thin white male wearing a Bruins logo shirt, black jeans and a red, white and blue hat.

Anthony Polito, Athol-Royalston Regional School District Superintendent, has sent out a warning to all area parents and guardians.

The letter published on the school district’s website says the man’s truck had New Hampshire license plates and a large yellow and white sticker decal on the hood.

Also in the letter, Polito asked parents to review stranger safety guides with their children:

• Walk in groups of two or more
• Be aware of your surroundings
• Walk only in well-lit areas
• Know where your children are at all times

If you know any information about the man described above, contact Athol Police Department at 978-249-3232.