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Mesa PD investigating possible child abduction

Posted at 5:28 PM, Feb 20, 2016
and last updated 2016-02-21 11:15:19-05

Police officers in Mesa are trying to determine whether a child was abducted on Saturday afternoon.

It reportedly occurred in the area of University Drive and 22nd Place.

The Mesa Police Department said someone saw a 10-year-old girl who was being carried into a car by a man. Police don't know for sure whether this was an abduction, but they have been investigating since 1 p.m. 

The girl is described as a Hispanic or Caucasian child who is about 4 feet tall and weighs about 75 pounds. She has long straight dark hair, and was wearing white leggings, a white shirt and possibly a skirt. 

A black man, possibly in his 30s, was seen placing the child into a newer model white Toyota SUV with tinted windows. 

"The male exited the vehicle, and grabbed her around the waist, and put her into the back seat of the car, and then drove away," Mesa police Sgt. David Meicke said. "It's believed [that] she was yelling for her mom." 

Mesa police officers have door knocked the entire neighborhood and as of Sunday morning have not received any missing children reports matching the girl's description. About 30 officers were out in the neighborhood. Cheryl Hoppe, who is new to the neighborhood, is grateful for that effort.

"One child is that important to this community that they would look for her that aggressively," Hoppe said. "If I see something, I'm going to say something."

Police believe it's possible that the man is a family member; however, they say there's enough suspicion to cause concern.

"It's pretty crazy, to be honest. There's always kids out here. It's a friendly neighborhood," resident Joseph Howe said.

Police said they're looking for possible surveillance cameras in the area. They're counting on neighbors to be good witnesses.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Mesa Police Department at 480-644-2211.