The following press release about a local abduction attempt was sent out by the Southern Pines Police Department.  Please review it and contact the police if you have any information concerning the incident.

PRESS RELEASE 
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
 
April 2, 2008 

The Southern Pines Police Department Announces An Attempted Abduction / Indecent Exposure 

The Southern Pines Police Department needs your assistance in locating a suspect involved in an Attempted Abduction / Indecent Exposure investigation.  On April 1, 2008 at approximately 10:00am a female driver was followed by another vehicle from the area of Airport Road to Turnberry Way located just off Hwy 15-501 in Southern Pines.  The suspect was operating a small, royal blue, four-door sedan and was attempting to get the female to pull over by blowing the horn and switching lanes.  As the female turned the suspect was exposing himself to her.  The suspect followed her into a parking lot and then grabbed her by the sleeve.  The female was not injured and got away from the suspect.  The suspect is described as a white male, bald, brown eye brows and approximately 510-600 hgt, about 200lbs.  
 
If you have any information on this case please contact the Southern Pines Police Department at 910-692-7031.
 
The Southern Pines Police Department would like to remind the community of some personal safety steps that can be taken to reduce the potential of being victimized:
 
- Never pull over for anyone that attempts to flag you down on the highway.  Pull to a well lit, highly populated area or drive to the nearest Police or Sheriffs Office.
- Keep your cellular phone handy and call 911 immediately.  Be ready to give a description of the vehicle and plate number if possible, and a description of the suspicious person as well as the direction of travel.
- Remember to drive safely.
- If someone exposes themselves to you contact the police and give a thorough description of the person and vehicle. 
- BE AWARE OF YOUR SURROUNDINGS and report anything suspicious, unusual or that makes you uncomfortable to the police.
 
Log on to the Southern Pines Police Department website at www.southernpines.net/police or contact the Community Services Unit for additional information on this topic or to schedule a presentation on Personal Safety.  

Point of Contact: Lieutenant Rodney Hardy at (910) 692-2732