Hillsborough abductor still on the loose, frightening residents

The+attempted+kidnapping+took+place+near+Auten+Road+Intermediate+School%2C+but+was+thwarted+by+an+alert+student.

courtesy of Auten Road Intermediate School

The attempted kidnapping took place near Auten Road Intermediate School, but was thwarted by an alert student.

Christopher M. Smith, Staff writer

Despite Hillsborough’s status as an excellent place to live, lately the streets have been flooded with danger and mystery. Various unidentified characters roaming the streets of our beloved town are practicing some very suspicious behavior. The place that was once known as a safe haven for families to raise their children is becoming increasingly threatening. So how did a small, monotonous suburb alter into a place with so much distress?

On Dec. 5, an anonymous male student stumbled home from the bus, like any other ordinary day – so he thought. It was after the boy began his routine walk home when the terror struck.

It was around 4:10 p.m. when a suspicious two door pick-up truck pulled aside the child;  “Come in honey,” the woman said. The young boy, frightened and vulnerable, refused. He screamed, “No,” as loud as he could. 

After denying the woman’s offer a second time, the minor threatened to call the police if she did not stand down. The woman then sped off, leaving no trace. Immediately after, the boy phoned the authorities to speak about his distressing encounter.

While the victim was unable to provide the license plate of the predatory vehicle, officers have a description of the truck that they are working with at the moment. The event took place between Auten Road and Bluebird Drive after Auten Road Intermediate School dismissal. The police have since confirmed this event as an attempted kidnapping.

The only lead so far is the description from the young boy of a tan, old, wrinkled woman between 50 and 60 years old with curly black hair. She was wearing black glasses. The motive of this alleged kidnapping is still unknown. 

The Hillsborough Police Department is feverishly working to keep our town safe and prevent actions like this again.

This event comes one week after, the “Naked Peeping Tom” made the national news, becoming one of Hillsborough’s notorious criminals. While unclothed, this man paraded through Hillsborough, trespassing and violating people’s privacy.

One event in particular involved a step stool outside of a young child’s window. There has not been confirmation, but popular speculation wonders if the peeping Tom’s crimes and the crimes of the kidnapper are related.  However, this has not been confirmed by authorities and the Hillsborough police are still investigating both matters, assuring the citizens of Hillsborough they have nothing to fear.

Looking at this situation optimistically, the boy is home safe and the woman was scared off. Teaching children “stranger danger” at a young age proved rewarding. Had this boy not been equipped with the knowledge of how to react in a situation such as this, the end of this story could have been far different.