Detectives doubt abduction claims

WOODBRIDGE, Va. -- Police have more questions than answers in the case of a 13-year-old Woodbridge girl who said she was attacked by stranger Monday night.

The teen and two boys, ages 12 and 13, were hanging out with a larger group of friends at Marumsco Acres Lake Park on Melbourne Avenue in Woodbridge.

When the larger group of friends left, the three stayed behind, said Prince William police spokeswoman Erika Hernandez.
When they decided to leave about 8:50 p.m., they told police they heard a noise coming from the woods, near the railroad tracks that run adjacent to the park, said Hernandez.

The teenagers told police that a man appeared, grabbed the girl, dragged her into the woods and touched her inappropriately.

The 13-year-old boy said he tried to stop the man but was hit in the face with a stick, said Hernandez.

The girl told police she fought off her attacker, forcing him to flee the area, and then all three teenagers went home and called police, said Hernandez.

The teenagers were not hospitalized and they did not provide a description of the attacker, she added.

“We do know the boy does have a bruise behind his ear, but we are not exactly clear on what happened, and we have had detectives working on this case since it was reported Monday night,” said Hernandez.

To boot, the teenagers are said not to be cooperating with police, leading investigators to doubt their story.

This is the second case this week where detectives say they're dealing with possible false abduction reports.

At 8 p.m. Tuesday, a 15-year-old girl told police she was walking along Somerset Crossing Drive towards Clarkson Court in Gainesville when a white van pulled up behind her and slowly followed her while she walked. She said one of the men in the van then pointed a finger at her, motioning her to get inside, said Hernandez.

The girl ran home and was not injured, she added.

Police were notified, searched the area and found nothing. Later they learned the girl’s story was false, said Hernandez.

Despite police doubts in these cases, county police say they still encourage residents to report suspicious activity, people and vehicles, and then let police investigate the reports.

To avoid becoming a victim, police say avoid taking short cuts through parks, tunnels and alleys, go out in groups, lock doors at home and follow your instincts.

“If something feels wrong than assume it is, go to a safe area and … call for help.” Hernandez said.

Staff writer Uriah A. Kiser can be reached at 703-530-3905.