OAKHURST – The Madera County Sheriff’s Office is reporting that about 5:30 p.m. on Thursday Jan. 22, two men attempted to kidnap a teenage girl along Highway 41 near the High Sierra RV Park in Oakhurst.
The girl had stopped to take pictures of the sunset, when two men rushed her from a nearby area where they had been hiding. One suspect grabbed the girl by the arm and lifted her off the ground while stating that they intended to kidnap her.
The girl was able to kick the suspect several times and aggressively resisted his attempt to overpower her. She was ultimately able to break free from his grasp, and then fled to her home. Her father immediately called the Sheriff’s Office upon hearing what had occurred.
The teenage victim described the two suspects as white males dressed in all black clothing. The suspect who grabbed her is reportedly at least six feet tall with a heavy muscular build. He has brown eyes and at the time of the attack had a Mohawk style haircut. The other male is also about six feet tall with a smaller build.
Sheriff’s Detectives have interviewed a number of witnesses as well as several persons of interest, and a follow-up investigation is currently underway.
“I commend the victim in this case for her resolve and courage in preventing herself from being taken,” stated Sheriff Jay Varney. “We are continuing to follow up on this case and the earlier case from the Madera Ranchos area, and whether they are related.”
The Madera Ranchos incident took place on Tuesday, Jan. 20, when a late model black colored mini-van pulled up alongside a teenage girl, and an unidentified male subject exited the van, grabbed the teenager, and attempted to force her into the van. The girl, whose name is not being released, managed to escape.
The male suspect in this case is described as a male adult wearing all black clothing and a black ski mask. The driver of the van was described as a female who was wearing all black clothing.
The incident occurred near Manon Avenue and Road 35 1/2 in Madera County in the early evening hours on Tuesday.
If you have any information about either of these cases is urged to call the Madera County Sheriff’s Department at (559) 675-7770.
