Police search for man who pulled 10-year-old boy into woods in McAdenville

CRAMERTON, N.C. — On Sunday, there was a stern warning from police and town leaders as they try to track down a man they said tried to kidnap a 10-year-old boy.

Police in Gaston County are looking for the man they say tried to kidnap a 10-year-old boy from a park.

Cramerton police say the suspect grabbed the child at the McDonald Park and tried to pull him into a wooded area on Saturday afternoon.

Hundreds of children were at the park for a football tournament.

News of the crime spread fast among people who could not believe it happened during such a busy event.

Police are looking for a white man between 30 and 40 years old.

He is around 200 pounds with reddish brown hair and a beard.

The man was last seen leaving the area driving an older faded blue four-door Honda Civic or Accord.

Eyewitness News found out on Sunday that several people think they saw the man who did it.

On Sunday night residents in the small community of McAdenville were on alert, as police continued their search for a man that they believe tried to kidnap a young boy.

News about the attempted abduction spread fast among people in the neighborhood.

Cramerton police returned to McDonald athletic field this morning to patrol the area and search for that suspect.

According to police the 10-year-old boy reported that a man grabbed him and attempted to pull him into a wooded area. The boy fought back, and was able to get away and run for help.

By the time police arrived the suspect was gone.

"You just never know," said Jessie Bachman who lives right around the corner from McDonald Park.

He said his son plays there all the time.

"He's had soccer at that park before; there are lots of things that go on at that park," said Bachman.

Authorities said the suspect is a white male, between the ages of 30-40 years old, approximately 200 pounds, with short reddish-brown hair and a beard.

The boy said the suspect had a muscular build and was wearing khaki shorts and no shirt. He was last seen leaving the Dixon Road area driving an older-model faded blue four-door Honda Civic or Accord.

Cramerton police said they have received hundreds of calls about a possible suspect in this case.

WSOC