The Richland County Sheriff’s Department is asking for assistance to help identify a van that was involved in an attempted abduction of a Richland County teen last week.

It happened Wednesday around 9 p.m. on Heron Glen Road at Village at Lakeshore Apartments, between Killian and Farrow Roads.

A teenage girl went outside to let her dog back into the house when a man attempted to drag her into a van, according to the Richland County Sheriff’s Office.

The girl screamed and her dog ran to the man and bit him. He then ran away.

It is believed, according to the sheriff’s department the would-be abductor was wearing all black, including with gloves and a mask.

The teen’s mother heard her scream and ran outside. The mother told deputies she saw the suspect running away. The woman also said she saw the van backing away at the same time, leading deputies to believe a second suspect may be involved.

The mother of the girl told deputies she had seen the van in the neighborhood earlier in the day, so it’s possible it was a targeted abduction.

Deputies immediately saturated the area in an attempt to catch the suspect.

Deputies are asking anyone in the area with a video camera pointing out to the street to check for possible video of the van. Since the van had been spotted earlier in the day, deputies said any daytime video would be especially helpful.

The van is described as a panel van with windows on the back and on the driver front and passenger side. It is said to be “kind of a dingy, dirty color.” 

Anyone with video that may could deputies identify the van or anyone involved is asked to contact Crimestoppers anonymously.

• Call 888-CRIME-SC (888-274-6372).
• Use the P3 Tips mobile app.
• LOG ON to www.midlandscrimestoppers.com, and click on the red “Submit a Tip” tab.