Post by WaTcHeR on Oct 12, 2006 11:20:33 GMT -5
10.12.2006 - A 15-year-old girl managed to get away from a a man trying to abduct her in West Philadelphia yesterday, police said.
What the attempt more disturbing is the fact that the kidnap suspect has been identified as a police officer with the School District of Philadelphia.
The kidnap try was foiled when a woman who was driving by shouted at the girl to run, and the man took off. A suspect was arrested shortly after at Olive Street near 48th. A school district official identified the suspect as Officer John Hinton, 52, an officer with the district's mobile-patrol task force.
"No, I can't believe that he would do something like that," said Barbara Keys, a neighbor near where the alleged abduction took place, shocked that someone supposed to protect children would try to harm them.
Police said the girl was waiting for the bus on Parrish Street near 48th in West Philadelphia yesterday morning when a man approached her.
Neither Golden nor police were able to say whether Hinton was on his way home from work at the time of the alleged kidnapping.
Police said that once Hinton approached the young girl, a struggle ensued and, thanks to the help of the vocal woman, the suspect was distracted and the girl was able to get away.
Hinton now faces charges that include interference with the custody of a child, unlawful restraint, false imprisonment, and recklessly endangering another person, in connection with the alleged abduction attempt.
Hinton began working for the school district in August 1995, according to James Golden, chief safety director for the school district.
"He was working the overnight shift [Saturday] night from 10 p.m. to 6:30 a.m.," Golden said.
"He has been suspended without pay as of today and our intention if these charges prevail will be to permanently separate him from employment."
Golden said that nothing on Hinton's employment record suggested he would be a problem.
Golden said that Hinton had been charged with aggravated assault for an incident almost 30 years ago but was not convicted.
"Because there was no conviction, he was not precluded from employment with the district," Golden said.
"Right now the police are continuing their investigation, and we are fully cooperating with their efforts."
www.philly.com/mld/dailynews/news/local/15714037.htm
What the attempt more disturbing is the fact that the kidnap suspect has been identified as a police officer with the School District of Philadelphia.
The kidnap try was foiled when a woman who was driving by shouted at the girl to run, and the man took off. A suspect was arrested shortly after at Olive Street near 48th. A school district official identified the suspect as Officer John Hinton, 52, an officer with the district's mobile-patrol task force.
"No, I can't believe that he would do something like that," said Barbara Keys, a neighbor near where the alleged abduction took place, shocked that someone supposed to protect children would try to harm them.
Police said the girl was waiting for the bus on Parrish Street near 48th in West Philadelphia yesterday morning when a man approached her.
Neither Golden nor police were able to say whether Hinton was on his way home from work at the time of the alleged kidnapping.
Police said that once Hinton approached the young girl, a struggle ensued and, thanks to the help of the vocal woman, the suspect was distracted and the girl was able to get away.
Hinton now faces charges that include interference with the custody of a child, unlawful restraint, false imprisonment, and recklessly endangering another person, in connection with the alleged abduction attempt.
Hinton began working for the school district in August 1995, according to James Golden, chief safety director for the school district.
"He was working the overnight shift [Saturday] night from 10 p.m. to 6:30 a.m.," Golden said.
"He has been suspended without pay as of today and our intention if these charges prevail will be to permanently separate him from employment."
Golden said that nothing on Hinton's employment record suggested he would be a problem.
Golden said that Hinton had been charged with aggravated assault for an incident almost 30 years ago but was not convicted.
"Because there was no conviction, he was not precluded from employment with the district," Golden said.
"Right now the police are continuing their investigation, and we are fully cooperating with their efforts."
www.philly.com/mld/dailynews/news/local/15714037.htm