Muskegon County Teen Escapes Minivan Abduction Attempt

Police are investigating an abduction attempt that occurred north of Muskegon Saturday morning.

Fox 17 reports that a 16 year-old-girl was walking home around 9:15a.m. on West River Road near Green Creek Road when she became lost.

A man in a silver minivan stopped and offered the use of his cell phone.

The teen got in the van and says he never handed over the cell phone. Instead, he locked the doors and kept driving, ignoring her when she asked to be let out. She believed the man had a handgun on his person.

She then unlocked the door and jumped out of the moving vehicle. The girl was transported to the hospital to treat her injuries.

The suspect is described as a man in his 30s or 40s, slightly overweight, with a beard and neatly trimmed mustache.

Police say they are aware that the description of the van is similar to the description of the vehicle thought to be involved with the Jessica Heeringa case. They have not confirmed a connection, but are investigating.

Anyone with information should call the Muskegon County Sheriff’s Department at (231) 724-6658 or Silent Observer at (231) 722-7463.