SKOWHEGAN — A detective has been assigned to investigate a report from a 14-year-old girl who said she was grabbed by a stranger Monday night on North Avenue.

Skowhegan Police Chief Michael Emmons said Detective Daniel Summers is conducting interviews in the area. Emmons said there have been no new reports to police of similar behavior.

He cautioned people to be aware of what’s going on around them.

“It’s always good for anybody, but particularly our youth, to be vigilant when they’re out at any time of the day or night, but specifically at night,” he said Thursday. “Just be aware of your surroundings and be cautious.”

The girl told police she ran away from the man after he got out of a red, older model pickup truck, approached her from behind and grabbed her sleeve. She called her father after fleeing, police said.

A friend of the girl’s brother, who reported the incident at 7:15 p.m., said it appeared the man wanted to pull the girl into his truck.

The girl said the stranger appeared to be about 30 years old, bald and had a few days growth of beard.

Emmons said the girl continued walking, taking different routes to try to stay away from the man. She said she thought he drove by her later on Madison Avenue by Cumberland Farms, possibly circling the area, but did not stop again.

Emmons asked anyone with information on the incident to call the department at 474-6908.

Doug Harlow — 612-2367

dharlow@centralmaine.com

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