Sonoma Sheriffs Investigate Attempted Child Abduction at El Verano Elementary School

Sonoma County Sheriffs detectives are trying to piece together the identity of a man suspected of attempting to kidnap a child from a Sonoma Valley elementary school.

On Thursday, a child reported that a man approached her on school grounds at and tried to lure her away by asking if she needed a ride home, according to the Sonoma County Sheriff's Department.

"When the child refused the suspect grabbed her by the arm, but she was able to escape by running away," according to a sheriff's press release.

Police believe that the suspect has also attempted to kidnap children twice before at different Valley schools over the past several months, but in each of those cases, the man only asked the girls if they needed a ride home, according to the Sheriff's Department.

When the girls refused, the man turned and walked way, police said. Deputies from the Valley substation are working alongside the and the in an effort to identify the man.

The suspect is described as a Hispanic male adult, 30 years old, approximately 5'08" to 6' tall, average to thin build.  He is clean shaven or might have a light mustache and has a medium to dark complexion.

The man spoke English with a heavy accent and fluent Spanish. He was wearing a black hooded sweat shirt over his head, jeans and athletic shoes.  He also wore a neck chain with a dollar sign pendant and a diamond stud earrin. He is associated with a red compact passenger car, similar to a Ford Focus.  

The parents of the schools in the area have been alerted. Any person with information about this incident or suspect is encouraged to contact the Sonoma County Sheriff's Office Investigations Bureau, the Valley Sub-station, or the Sonoma Police Department.