8-year-old Bermuda Dunes boy escapes would-be kidnappers

BERMUDA DUNES - An abduction attempt was thwarted this afternoon when the 8-year-old victim got away from his would-be kidnappers and ran for help, authorities said.

The incident occurred at 1 p.m. in the 79200 block of Avenue 42 in Bermuda Dunes, said Riverside County Sheriff's Sgt. Paul Tesinsky.

Deputies arrived at the location and were told that an 8-year-old boy had been playing in the front yard of his home when he was approached by a woman and a man in a light blue sports utility vehicle.

''The female driver asked the juvenile to get into the vehicle,'' Tesinsky said. ''When the juvenile refused, the female got out of the car and grabbed the victim by his shirt in an attempt to get him into the vehicle.''

The boy hit the suspect's hand away and ran for help, Tesinsky said. The suspects were seen fleeing the location headed east on Avenue 42.

Tesinsky said investigators are currently working on additional leads.

Deputies asked anyone with information about the incident to call the Riverside County Sheriff's Department at (760) 863-8990. Information can also be reported anonymously through Crime Stoppers at (760) 341-STOP (7867), or by sending an email to [email protected] and referring to case C111630017.