MERCHANTS SQUARE — The Williamsburg Police Department (WPD) is investigating a “suspicious incident” which occurred at the 400 block of W. Duke of Gloucester Street on Friday, March 5 between 6:20-6:40 p.m.
Authorities said that a woman reported that a man allegedly approached her 10-year-old daughter, who was sitting on a bench in Merchants Square. She said that he grabbed her daughter by the wrist and pulled her towards him until letting go and fleeing toward Francis Street.
“The suspect was described as a black male between 35 and 45 years old with a light complexion, a goatee, and missing teeth,” according according to the WPD’s news release. “He was also described as wearing an all-black hoodie and grayish pants; he was not wearing a mask.”
The victim reported that the suspect ran off after an unidentified witness stepped in. The witness is described as a black male, younger than the suspect, wearing a red and blue flannel shirt.
“We do not have any updated information to release regarding the incident, however we would like to hear from anyone who may have been in Merchants Square at around 6:30 p.m. on Friday March 5th to see if they saw or heard anything unusual,” Charles Ericsson, WPD spokesperson wrote in an email on March 9.
This investigation is ongoing.
Anyone who might have witnessed this incident or has any information regarding the identity of the suspect or witness can call the Williamsburg Police Department at 757-220-2331 or contact the Peninsula Crime Line at 1-888-562-5887. Residents can also submit tips online anonymous here.
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