Child abduction foiled

"The suspect tried to entice the girl into the car and when the crossing guard approached the scene the car fled off," Raffaelli said. "There was no contact made between the girl and suspect."

The crossing guard lives in the neighborhood and knows the girl, Raffaelli said. The captain called the school employee's act admirable.

The girl also displayed caution by backing away from the vehicle which helped alert the crossing guard.

"She used her head," Raffaelli said.

The suspect is described as a white male adult, 45-55 years of age, 6 feet tall with a medium build, gray hair and unshaven. He was wearing a blue striped dress shirt and dark slacks.

The school, on the 1600 block of Eisenhower Street, has easy access to State Route 92 and Highway 101.

"That's a problem because the suspect could have went anywhere from that location," Raffaelli said.

News helicopters were circling the area well into the evening and Raffaelli said he wished the department had the same resources.

"An attempt like this hasn't happened in San Mateo in a while," Raffaelli said.

Technically no crime was committed, but police want to question the man to ask him what his interest in the girl was and to alert neighboring communities of the potential danger, Raffaelli said.

"Obviously we are always worried when something like this happens. It could have been more serious and potentially dangerous" Raffaelli said. "The girl is doing fine. She's shaken up but will be OK."

Parkside is a year-round school which has been in session for about a month.

Children approached by strangers should yell or scream and run to a nearby house in these situations, Raffaelli cautioned.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the San Mateo Police Department Investigation Division at 522-7650 or the Secret Witness Line at 522-7676.

Bill Silverfarb can be reached by e-mail at silverfarb@smdailyjournal.com or by phone: (650) 344-5200 ext. 109.