ARLINGTON — Police here continue their hunt for a man suspected of trying to snatch a 12-year-old girl and pull her into the woods on Sunday afternoon.
Investigators were working late this week to put together a sketch of the suspect to release to the public, city spokeswoman Kristin Banfield said Friday.
Detectives initially accused a convicted sex offender who was living near where the reported attack took place, but they ruled him out after further investigation, Banfield said.
They have no reason to doubt the girl’s story, Banfield said.
“As far as we’re concerned, we’re investigating it,” she said. “We’ve had a number of interviews with the victim, and we believe at this point, that it did occur, that it really did happen.”
The girl has been put in touch with a victim’s advocate, she said.
The attack was reported in the 18300 block of 31st Avenue NE late Sunday afternoon. A police dog searched the area but didn’t find a suspect.
The man is described as having a medium build, some facial hair and acne scars on his face. The girl said he wore a black hoodie-style sweatshirt, white shoes and a single blue glove.
Police have “saturated” the area in hopes of finding clues, Banfield said.
“We’re making a lot of community contacts, taking the opportunity to be in the neighborhood asking questions, seeing if people have seen something, heard something, anything that could point us in the right direction,” she said.
No similar attacks have been reported in the area, but police are warning people to be careful walking there and pay closer attention to their surroundings.
Anyone with information about the case is asked to call 360-403-3400.
Rikki King: 425-339-3449; rking@heraldnet.com
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