APD releases new video of attempted kidnapping suspect

Austin police have released new video of a man who police say tried to kidnap a little girl.

The incident happened on September 19th in East Austin.

WATCH APD VIDEO OF SUSPECT HERE

Officers say the man approached the girl at the Booker T. Washington housing complex as she was playing. Child abuse detectives say the man got the child's attention by asking for help locating his lost brown dog.

He promised the child money for finding the dog.

Once the girl went with him, she says he forced her into his vehicle. She was able to escape.
               
We spoke to a man with family there. He says he no longer feels safe for kids to play outside.

"Unless it's supervised by an adult all activities have moved indoors. It's only TV and laptops and phones. It's not like the way I grew up, you get to play outside, you get to play on the playground. Now you have to live in fear,” said Roger Lopez.

"I always want to fall back to parenting and discussing with your kids to not let it get to that point. Simply, do not talk to strangers and definitely walk off without parental permission,” said Detective Eric Guevara.

Suspect is described as:

  • White or Hispanic Male
  • Muscular Build
  • 5' 5" to 5'8"
  • Short black hair, with bald spot
  • Tattoos to the upper arm

Last seen wearing:

  • White T shirt 
  • Dark Blue jeans shorts
  • Basketball shoes

Suspect's vehicle is described as:

  • White Older model vehicle 4dr
  • Unknown LP
  • Described as having a "trashy" interior

If you have any information about the crime, call the Child Abuse Unit Hotline at 512-974-6880.