By Ayala Ben-Yehuda
Two attempted abductions, one in Flushing and the other in Bayside, last Thursday involved the same man pointing a handgun at female victims and telling them to get in his car, police said.
The first incident took place about 3 p.m. at Linden Place and 35th Avenue, in which the man told a 35-year-old woman to get in the black van he was driving. She ran away and the suspect fled north on Linden Place toward College Point.
Less than an hour later, the man approached a 16-year-old girl on 221st Street and 41st Avenue while driving the van and said, “Don't run and get in the van” as he pointed a gun at her, according to police.
The 16-year-old ran away, rushed to a passing car and called 911 from the driver's cell phone, the Daily News said. The suspect fled north on 221st Street.
“I've lived here 62 years and we've never had this kind of violent crime at all,” said Frank Skala, who lives two blocks from where the second abduction attempt took place.
No arrests have been made as of late Tuesday.
Police were searching for a white male in his early 30s with a medium build, brown eyes, a light beard and mustache wearing a black knit hat. He was driving a black Astro van with purple or red striping along the bottom.
Anyone with information about these incidents should call (800) 577-TIPS.
