Man wanted for questioning after child abducted in DHS

Police are looking to question a man who may be a suspect in a child abduction case that happened in Desert Hot Springs on Friday, September 12.

A sketch depicting what the suspect may look like was given to News Channel 3 and CBS Local 2 Thursday afternoon. He’s described as a 20 to 30-year-old white man, 5’8″, 180-200 lbs. with a ‘chunky’ build.

The car used in the crime was described as a dark-colored, late 90’s four-door sedan that was dirty and scratched.

The abduction happened at 3:10 p.m. on September 12 in front of Two Bunch Palms Elementary School, located at 14250 West Drive in Desert Hot Springs. A ten year old boy was taken.

According to Sgt. Essex with the Desert Hot Springs Police Department, the boy managed to escape through a car window when the suspect went to use the bathroom.

Although the abduction occurred on September 12, officers said they only received information about the incident earlier this week.

News Channel 3 and CBS Local 2 received a release from the Palm Springs Unified School District on Tuesday, September 30, but the incident was only listed as an attempted child abduction with no information that the boy had actually been taken by the man.

This is the release from the Palm Springs Unified School District detailing a call that went out to parents of elementary school students in Desert Hot Springs on Monday, September 29:

This is a safety advisory from Palm Springs Unified School District. We are calling to alert you to an incident that is being investigated by Desert Hot Springs Police Department. An elementary student reported that he was approached in the area of Two Bunch Palms Trail west of Palm Drive, by a man in a black car on his way home from school about two weeks ago.The student described the man as white, short and heavy with short brown hair and narrow goatee. If you or your child think you have seen someone who matches this description, please contact Desert Hot Springs Police Department. Please remind your child to walk directly to and from school with at least one other person, to not talk to strangers and to report any suspicious person or activity to a trusted adult immediately.

Thank you for your support and vigilance.

Desert Hot Springs police said if you see a person or vehicle that match the descriptions, don’t make contact, just call your local police department to file a report.

Parents should be sure to talk to their kids about how to deal with strangers and have them walk to and from school in groups.