Athens-Clarke County police are looking for a man they say tried to kidnap a child at a holiday parade.
The man attempted to pick up the child and walk away Dec. 1 during the Parade of Lights along North Hull Street and West Hancock Street in downtown Athens, police spokesman Epifanio Rodriguez said.
A witness told the Athens Banner-Herald she saw the alleged kidnapper kneel near a girl and attempt to walk away with her.
“She confronted the suspect and had a brief conversation with him, and was able to take the child from him without resistance,” Rodriguez told the newspaper.
The witness said the man told her he was leaving with the girl to take a picture.
Police described the suspect as 5-foot-8 with an average build and having reddish-brown hair and a scruffy beard. He is believed to be in his 40s to 50s and was last seen walking west on Hancock Avenue.
Anyone with information is asked to call Athens-Clarke County police at 706-613-3888.
