Boy grabbed while walking to school

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- DeChaumes Elementary School parents are on alert tonight after the school principal telephoned to warn them about the attempted abduction of a student on a city street Monday.

An 11-year-old boy reported he was walking to DeChaumes Elementary Monday at about 7:45am when a man grabbed him, threw him to the ground and ripped his shirt. The student was not harmed, and he ran away a short distance back to a home on Rittenhouse street where he notified family members. After receiving the report, HISD Police immediately increased patrols in the area of the school.

Principal Sandy Gaw contacted 349 homes before DeChaumes students were dismissed this afternoon to warn parents about the attempted abduction. HISD Police are searching for the suspect.

The suspect is described as an African American male wearing a black t-shirt and blue jeans. The student said the man who attacked him is 5'11" to 6' feet tall, between 35 and 40 years old, weighs 160 to 175 pounds and has black hair. The student said he saw the man driving a black four-door Cadillac from the model years 1991 to 1995.

"Please remember that your child's safety is our number one priority," Principal Gaw said in the telephone call made on HISD's automatic phone messaging system. "Please be on the look out and report any suspicious people in the area. Parents, if possible, please escort your child to school if they are walkers. Should your child have to walk to and from school without adult supervision, make sure he or she walks in a group and never alone. Parents, please remind your child if they are being followed to not talk to the strangers or approach the car."

Parents or community members with information about the case should call HISD Police at 713-892-7777, or call the school at 713-696-2676.

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