Elyria police are investigating an attempted abduction after a 10-year-old girl said a man tried to pull her out her bedroom window while she was sleeping.
According to police, the girl's father called 911 around 3:45 a.m. Thursday after his daughter ran into his room, saying a man tried to take her.
The girl said she woke up and the man was pulling on her legs. He said if she cooperated, he wouldn't hurt her or her family.
She was able to break free from his grip and run to her father's room for help.
Her father went outside to see that someone had removed a step ladder from the yard and leaned it against the house, underneath his daughter's window.
The suspect was described a white male in his 30s with brown eyes. He was wearing a black hoodie, with the hood tied tightly around his face.
Officers searched the area but were unable to find a man matching the description.
Her mother, Cassandra, told newsnet5.com, she's holding her daughter a little tighter tonight.
"It's the scariest thing I've ever been through in my life," she said.
Her parents said they're happy their little girl is safe, but her father, Jay, said they can't rest easy until the man who did this is in police custody.
"It's important he gets caught, so no other kids are taken, I can't believe this," he said.
newsnet5.com sat down with Elyria Police Captain Chris Costantino to see what they're doing to catch the suspect.
Costantino said police are working with the FBI to track the suspect down, they're scanning the area and increasing patrols.
"Obviously this is a very dangerous person. He tried to pull this girl out of her bed, early in the morning, this is somebody we need to get off the streets quickly," Costantino said.
A man with a similar description prompted a lockdown at Lorain City Schools Thursday morning after he grabbed two girls and exposed himself to another.
If you see something suspicious in your neighborhood--report it. If you have any information that could help this investigation, you're asked to contact Elyria Police at 440-323-3302, or Cleveland FBI Office at 216-522-1400.
