Sketches were released by the Harris County Sheriff's Office on Wednesday afternoon, but what's remarkable about this story is the victim in this case had been coached on what to do if she ever found herself in a situation like this. On June 11, it paid off.
School is out and kids are playing in the street at the Lakes of Bellaire subdivision. Some are even walking their dogs.
Last Thursday about 2pm, a 13-year-old girl was doing just that when two men forced her into a white van.
"He grabbed me then he pulled me toward the van," said the victim.
The teen said while being held down in the van, she was sexually assaulted by the two men, but finally kicked and scratched her way out of the situation.
"I kicked him in his privates and hit the other man in the eye so he would let me go," said the victim. "They had the door unlocked so I heard them open the door and I ran home."
The Harris County Sheriff's Office investigated and developed sketches of the suspects. They are described as two Hispanic men in their early 20s, about 5 feet 10 inches tall.
"I actually came to the neighborhood and was able to corroborate her story through other witnesses, so this is a legitimate abduction and sexual assault," said Russell Ackley of the Harris County Sheriff's Office.
The neighborhood is on a heightened state of alert now that word of the crime has spread.
"I'm friends with her and it makes me not want to come outside without my brother or my other my other friends that I hang around with because it scares me a little bit," said neighbor Quinisha Smith.
While the victim and her family won't be playing outside any time soon, the girl's relative is grateful she's alive and that she actually listens to what she's taught.
"I have been teaching her about certain things to do when somebody catches you off-guard to try to get away. You fight, you scratch, you do whatever you can to get way," said Paula Bennett, the victim's relative. "So obviously, she listened."
If you have any information in this case, you're asked to call the the Harris County Sheriff's Office at 713-221-6000 or Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS. Your call will remain anonymous.
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