Deputies investigate attempted child abduction

BUSHNELL, Fla. (WOFL FOX 35) - Deputies with the Sumter County Sheriff's Office are searching for a man who they say tried to abduct a 3-year-old little boy, by attempting to lure the child into a car.  The neighborhood where the alleged incident happened is on edge.  "For the community's sake, just to put people at peace, they need to find him," said neighbor Carrie Davis.

Investigators said it happened outside the Razor Sharp Edge barbershop, located at 221 North Florida Street in Bushnell, where the boy's father was working. "He actually spoke to his 3-year-old son, saying, 'Come on with me.'  The children did the right thing and ran and told dad," said Lt. Bobby Caruthers with the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office.

Deputies said a witness told the father that he saw the suspicious man park in several different spots outside the barbershop to watch the children play.  "Nobody around here is going to let their kids go like they usually do, things won't go back to normal until they find him," Davis said.

Deputies said the man was lurking in some bushes near the business, until he was confronted by the little boy's father.  He then ran off to his car.  Police released a surveillance photo of the two-toned truck they believe the suspect was driving a Dodge Ram pickup truck.  "It's Halloween time, so that concerns us," Caruthers said. "We're worried about this and we want to find this guy"

Anyone with information on this incident or that man, should contact the Sumter County Sheriff's Office.