Pocono News Section

Attempted Abduction In Broad Daylight

Attempted Abduction In Broad Daylight - Saturday, September 8, 2007 at 2:22PM EST

Reported by: Jill Konopka
Saturday, Sep 8, 2007 @02:22pm EST
((Lake Township, Luzerne County)

State police need your help in locating a man they say tried to abduct a 44-year-old woman at a Luzerne County car wash.

May's Do It Yourself carwash on Route 118 is quite busy this Saturday. All three available bays are filled, even after an attempted abduction around 10:30 Friday morning.

It happened right across the street from the Shur Save Super Market.

Customer Tara Manarski spoke with WBRE News, "It's daylight now. It was daylight yesterday and something like this, I can't even believe it would happen out here, but if I would've known that I would not have come by myself."

State police say a man in his 30's or 40's, with a medium to thin build and a shaved head approached a woman from behind. She was washing her truck, just like Fran Warnagiris is with her SUV.

Fran Warnagiris is shocked, "I think it's a nightmare. Out here you don't expect something like that to happen. It's getting to the point where everyday you have to watch where you're going. You can't be by yourself. I mean you can't live freely like you're supposed to."

According to investigators, the suspect then escorted the victim at knifepoint from her stall to the one right next to it. That's where his truck was parked. He then forced her into the vehicle.

Larry Boyle lives in Sweet Valley, "I moved out of this area to get away from all the crime that's in Wilkes-Barre and stuff. And it seems to be coming up this way."

Luckily the victim managed to escape with only a few bumps and bruises. Her would-be attacker drove off down the highway. Like some of the other car customers WBRE News spoke to, Larry Boyle of Sweet Valley says next time, he'll be more aware of his surroundings.

Larry Boyle added, "I'm nervous about it. I'm going right home to tell my family about it. They do use this car wash."

Tara Manarski on the other hand had a change of heart. Manarski said, "No, I'm probably going to leave."

She didn't want to risk it.

The suspect was seen leaving May’s in a dark gray or black ford pick up. It had Pennsylvania license plates and possibly a tunnel cover over the bed.

Anyone with information should call 9-1-1 or the Pennsylvania State Police at 697-2000.