| Girl's abduction, assault investigated 04/05/2001 By Stephen Terry / The Dallas Morning News Police are following leads in a reported abduction and sexual assault of a 12-year-old girl from an Irving bus stop early Tuesday.
A man driving a red, four-door Mitsubishi forced the girl into his vehicle at about 7 a.m., according to police reports. The girl was reportedly waiting at a bus stop in northwest Irving.
The victim was taken to a secluded location, assaulted and then brought back to the bus stop, police said.
"I don't recall one like this in recent history," Irving police spokesman David Tull said. "While this case is not rare, it is unusual to have all these circumstances."
Police describe the suspect as a Hispanic male with a medium complexion, 30 to 40 years old, 5-foot-9 to 5-foot-10 and weighing 160 to 170 pounds. The suspect has short, light-brown hair. Police said the man was wearing jeans and a cowboy-type hat.
"There is good possibility the suspect will be caught with all of the information that we have," Officer Tull said. "The tips we receive from any calls will also help narrow it down."
Police said the girl showed no signs of physical trauma.
The victim is a student at Gilbert Transitional Center, a special-education facility in Irving ISD. She informed an officer at the school about the incident when she arrived.
Tony Thetford, Irving ISD spokesman, said his office was preparing memos Wednesday to be sent to parents. More than 29,000 students are enrolled in the district.
"The memo advises parents of the incident and encourages them to be cautious," Mr. Thetford said.
Police are urging all Irving residents to be aware of their surroundings and circumstances at all times, saying that awareness is the best defense against crime.
"This kind of thing could happen anywhere," Officer Tull said. "We just want citizens to be aware of that wherever they are."
Anyone with information is asked to call the Irving police at 972-721-2535.
Staff writer Stephen Terry can be reached at 972-594-7198, ext. 2002, or by e-mail at .
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