10-year-old boy breaks free from kidnap attempt in Buena Park

BUENA PARK, Calif. (KABC) -- The search is on for an attempted kidnapper who police say tried to drag away a 10-year-old boy sitting on a park bench in Buena Park.

The incident occurred around 3 p.m. Wednesday at San Marino Park, 30 minutes after school was let out at San Marino Elementary School across the street, Buena Park police said.

Investigators said a man approached the boy from behind, grabbed his mouth and dragged him a few feet before the child was able to break free and get away.

"It's just such a brazen incident, that somebody would just come up in the middle if the day and do this to a child," said Betty Smith of Buena Park.

Police are looking for the suspect, described as a white man in his 40s, around 6 feet tall with a heavy build, a scab on his right cheek, brown hair and a goatee.

Authorities said the man was wearing a red shirt, jean shorts with a bleach spot on the left leg, a red hat turned backward, open-toe sandals and yellow-tinted sunglasses with a black frame.

Buena Park police were going door-to-door with flyers containing a sketch of the suspect Friday afternoon to warn parents of the kidnapping attempt.

According to a school letter sent to parents, teachers at San Marino went over personal safety tips with students.

Some parents said they make sure to talk with their children regularly about what to do if a stranger approaches.

"I tell them not to talk to strangers, not to get nothing from strangers and right away see a grown-up and see what's going on," said Jesus Rodriguez, a parent.

According to the school website, parents are being urged not to allow their children to come to San Marino Park unless they're supervised.

If you have any information about this incident, you're urged to contact the Buena Park Police Department at (714) 562-3896.