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Man tried to abduct child in Statesville, police say

STATESVILLE, N.C. — Statesville police are searching for a man who they said attempted to abduct a child Thursday afternoon.

Police said a man, driving a Dodge Magnum, tried to lure a child away from a house on Reid Street around 5 p.m. saying he had candy for the child.

The man fled when he saw a parent in the area, police said.

Police said the man was spotted in the area around 3 p.m. but returned a couple hours later when the attempted abduction occurred.

The man was described as white, with short, possibly brown or black hair.

Statesville police said they have increased patrols in the area and are even going door-to-door in one neighborhood, alerting residents of the attempted abduction.

If you have any information on the identity of the man, you are urged to call police at 704-662-1340.