Grandmother sends out warning after attempted child abduction

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FORT MYERS, Fla.- Mary Shortridge says she called 9-1-1 immediately, after her granddaughter was nearly kidnapped on Thursday near Princess Street and Edgewood Avenue.

“This man had passed her a couple of times slowing down, looking, then he rolled down the window and said, ‘I’ll give you a ride home,'” Shortridge said.

Shortridge says when the girl refused, the man got out of his car and walked towards her. That’s when Shortridge says she quickly ran away.

“We talk about it all the time, you know? Be aware of your surroundings. Look where you’re going. Know what’s coming your way,” Shortridge said.

Police say she described him as a white man driving a royal blue small sport utility vehicle.

The suspect is described as being approximately between 30-35 years of age, 5 feet 9 inches tall, thin build, light brown eyes, and short brown slicked backed hair. The suspect had no facial hair and was wearing a short sleeve, light blue button down shirt and dark blue jeans. The SUV he was driving resembles a Honda Santa Fe with no other identifying characteristics.

If you have any information, call FMPD at 239-321-7700, Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers at 1-800-780-TIPS or text message C-R-I-M-E-S

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