ROSS TOWNSHIP (KDKA) — Police and parents are on alert today as the investigation continues into a report of the attempted abduction of a 7-year-old at a store in Ross Township Saturday evening.

According to police, the incident happened at the Goodwill store in Ross Towne Center on McKnight Road just after 6:30 p.m. Saturday.

Ross Township police say the boy told police a man grabbed his arm, told him “let’s go,” and tried to forcibly remove him from the store.

Fortunately, the child did not cooperate and ran away instead.

The suspect is described as a white male with a goatee, heavy build, between 30- to 40-years-old and was wearing a tossle cap with a red coat.

The one good thing that came out of this, according to police, is that parents will now be more aware that this situation is possible any time and will talk to their kids about what they would do if a stranger approached them.

“I always tell my daughter, if a stranger comes up to you, scream and run away,” said Allison Close, a parent.

“You can’t turn your back for a second really,” Jamie Glogowski, another parent, added. “You have to watch them constantly.”

Detectives will be stepping up their investigation this week. They’re asking anyone who might have been in the store around 6:30 p.m. Saturday to give them a call.

RELATED LINKS:
Ross Township Police
Ross Twp. Police Investigate Possible Attempted Child Abduction (2/18/12)
More News from Ross Township