Police are looking for a man they say tried to coax a 9-year-old girl into his van before throwing a knife at her Friday in Fall River, Massachusetts.
The suspect approached the child on Peckham Street. Police say he whistled, offering candy and asking if she and her friend wanted to get in his van, which had a "Hello Kitty" sticker on the rear window.
The girl screamed, and the suspect threw a knife at her, which scratched her arm. He fled on foot. By the time police responded around 6:35 p.m., he was gone.
The suspect is described as being between 5'7 and 5'9 with long hair. He was wearing black clothing, a green plaid jacket and appeared to be in his 20s.
Later Friday night, an 18-year-old woman told police a man approached her at the Tedeschi on East Main Street. He asked to use her phone, and when he gave it to her, he began to walk away.
When she started to follow him, police say he held a knife up to her neck, grabbed her and led her for several blocks. The victim pushed off and got away.
The suspect got into blue minivan, which was following behind them.
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Police responded to that incident around 11:20 p.m.
The suspect was described as being between 5'8 and 5'10, between 150 and 175 pounds and in his early to mid 20s. He was wearing dark pants and a dark hooded sweatshirt.
Fall River Police believe the same man committed both crimes.
Anyone with information is asked to call (508) 324-2796.
