Man attempts to abduct 10-year-old boy in DHS

A 10-year-old dealt with a scary situation Thursday afternoon when a Hispanic man, who appeared to be transient, attempted to abduct him in Desert Hot Springs, according to police.

Officers said the incident happened around 1 p.m. in the open desert, just south of the intersection at Verbena Drive and Hacienda Avenue.

According to a release from the Desert Hot Springs Police Department, the boy was walking through an open desert lot on his way home from school when the suspect emerged from a strand of palm trees and told the child to come to him.

Police said the child ran and the suspect began to chase him, but tripped and fell, allowing the boy to escape.

The suspect is described as Hispanic, between 26 to 28-years-old, with a thin to average build and about 5’8″ tall. He was bald and had a scar over his left eye.

He was wearing a long-sleeve black t-shirt and torn blue Dickie jeans.

Police said they don’t believe this attempted abduction is related to the one that took place in Desert Hot Springs on September 12 in front of Two Bunch Palms Elementary School, where a 10-year-old boy managed to escape from his abductor’s car.

Desert Hot Springs police want to remind parents to educate their children about safety while walking to and from school. They said your child should never walk alone and if approached by a stranger, they should make a lot of noise to draw attention and run away. Then your child should try to find a teacher, a police officer or someone they know. If none are available, your child should try to find a woman with kids and ask for help.

News Channel 3 and CBS Local 2 will keep you updated as police continue to investigate the incident.