Dallas police are searching for a man they said reportedly tried to abduct a teenage girl Monday.
The girl told police that the incident happened at about 2 p.m. She told police that she was walking down the 10800 block of Camellia Drive, just east of Preston and Royal, when a man pulled up beside her.
She said the man started honking at her and told her to get in his car.
“She said no and he tried to grab her and that’s when she ran,” said neighbor Michelle Sims.
The girl ran to a nearby house where the people inside let her in as the man drove away.
“I looked out my window and saw that it was a girl with bright-colored tennis shoes,” said Sims, who opened her door and helped the teen. “She was just shaking and crying and said, ‘Somebody just tried to grab me. Can I call my mom?’ She was just visibly, very visibly shaken.”
Investigators said he was described as white, about 33 years old with red hair and a beard that is trimmed, driving what appeared be like a 2009 gray Nissan Altima.
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“She had tears coming down her face, it was clear that she was really upset and that just broke my heart,” said Sims.
People who live and work in the area said they are shocked.
"This is highly scary because you don't' know who you can allow around your children. You can't let your children go to the store by themselves anymore, you can't let them walk home with friends anymore," said mother of three, Gyvette Zeigler.
Neighbors said they are very aware of the situation and have been emailing each other.
“Even while I was gone, I got probably like four emails about it. Everybody was very concerned,” said neighbor Susan Huddleston.
Police are increasing patrols in the area.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Dallas Police Department.
NBC 5's Ray Villeda contributed to this report.
