Attempted Abduction Report Raises Fears

Police are investigating an attempted abduction in Hanover Township along West Division Street near Waller Street. A 19-year-old Wilkes-Barre woman told police she was walking home from work Sunday afternoon around 2:15 when a man grabbed her by the hair and tried dragging her into a mini-van. She managed to break free.

One day after the attempted abduction police were back in the neighborhood trying to solve the crime. One of the stops they made was at the Pantry Quick on West Division Street. Police hoped store surveillance cameras picked up evidence of the crime, but owner and manager Jimmy Patel said, "They couldn't find anything." Mr. Patel has owned the store for ten-years. He's surprised someone would try to abduct another person in broad daylight. "It is scary. It's scary," he said.

Gene Panatieri of Hanover Township says his hometown is not what it used to be. "There are suspicious people all of the time as in every neighborhood has." He takes his dog, Oscar, for a daily walk as he did Sunday afternoon. He didn't see anything unusual then but now he's alarmed at news of the reported abduction attempt. "It's something to be worried about. I know if I had younger ones I'd be worried," said Mr. Panatieri.

The suspect is described as a black man in his 30's, about 6'2" with a medium build and facial hair. He was wearing a red hoodie with a black bandana covering his face.

Anyone who knows more about the reported attempted abduction is urged to call Hanover Township Police Department at 825-1254 or 911.