Ephrata police hunting for stranger who attempted to kidnap 14-year-old girl

EPHRATA - Ephrata police are asking for the public’s help in tracking down a hispanic male in his 20s or 30s that allegedly attempted to kidnap a 14-year-old girl in the 200 block of G Street Northwest in the wee hours Friday morning.

According to Ephrata City Administrator Mike Warren, the girl was walking home at 4:30 a.m. when she passed multiple men in the area, one of whom began to follow her and soon tried to grab her. The teen struggled and began to scream, scaring the assailant and causing them to run away, Warren said. The incident was reportedly captured by neighborhood security systems.

The teen did not suffer major injuries and was returned home that morning, Warren said.

A major investigation is underway, according to a press release, involving officers from four agencies, including a K9 officer. Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact the Ephrata Police Department at 509-754-2491, or MACC Dispatch at 509-762-1160.