Manteca police on look-out for would-be kidnapper | Crime

MANTECA, CA - A man tried to abduct a boy walking to his elementary school Thursday morning, the Manteca Police Department says.

The attempted abduction took place near the Sandpiper Apartments at 1820 Pennebaker Way at 8:40 a.m., said police spokesman Officer Jason Hensley. A man drove up to the boy walking to Joshua Cowell School and told him to get in the van because it was his job to pick up kids and take them to school, according to the boy.

The boy ran home and told his mother who contacted police.

The man in the van was described as Hispanic, in his late 20s to early 30s and heavyset. He wore a black beanie cap that covered his eyebrows. The boy said the man had a "quiet" voice.

The man drove an older model, white passenger van with two windows on the driver's side and two doors that opened outward in the back.

Anyone who witnessed the incident or may know the man or have seen the van was asked to call Officer Eva Steele at (209) 456-8100.