A man put his arm around a 14-year-old girl as she walked home from her Brooklyn school and tried to convince her to come with him, police said.
The girl was walking on East Seventh Street in the Homecrest section of Sheepshead Bay at about 4:40 p.m. Tuesday when the suspect approached her, authorities said.
He put his arm around her and tried to entice her to come with him, but she refused and broke free from his grip.
The victim ran away and the suspect took off, police said.
Bakery owner Ruben Hirsch said he saw the man accost the girl.
"A guy came over and hugged her and kissed her," he said. "And after this he ran away."
People living in the area said they were surprised by the troubling episode in the quiet neighborhood.
"This is a safe area," said Marina Bell. "I'm actually very shocked."
The suspect is described as approximately 20 years old, authorities said.
Local
Anyone with information about the suspect should call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS.
