Police searching for man accused of trying to kidnap Indio High School student

A man tried to kidnap an Indio High School student this morning as she was making her way to school, according to Indio police.

At around 8:50 a.m., as the girl walking on Aladdin Street south of Shadow Palms, a man in a beige Ford Expedition pulled up next to her and asked her if she wanted a ride. The girl said no and kept walking.

As she continued walking, the driver got out of his SUV and tried to grab her and force her into the car. She was able to push the suspect’s arm away and escape.

She continued on to school, but the driver got back in his SUV and followed her. When the girl realized this she called her mother, who alerted school officials, who in turn alerted police.

The girl was not hurt.

Police are looking for the suspect, 30-year-old Hispanic man, about 5’9, 220 lbs with a dark moustache and goutee, driving a beige Ford Expedition.