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Police: Man sought after attempted abduction of 9-year-old boy in Peabody

PEABODY, Mass. — Police are searching for a man who reportedly tried to abduct a 9-year-old boy near a school.

Officers responded to Swampscott Avenue near the Welch School in Peabody around 8:30 p.m. Tuesday after receiving a report of an attempted abduction of a child, police said in a statement Wednesday.

The boy told police that he was walking with his scooter when a man approached him from behind, covered his mouth and dragged him to the Welch School parking lot. The boy was able to break free and run home. He was not injured.

Police and a K9 unit searched the area but found nothing.

The suspect is described as a dark-skinned male, approximately 5 feet, 9 inches tall and wearing a red hooded sweatshirt and red hat.

Investigators are asking anyone who may have information about this incident to call Peabody Police at 978-531-1212.

School officials notified parents of the incident in a safety alert on Wednesday.

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