11-year-old girl breaks free from kidnapper in Worcester, runs for help, police say

WORCESTER, Mass. —

A man is facing charges after he allegedly tried to kidnap an 11-year-old girl in Worcester on Sunday.

Police said Andrew Merriam, 51, of Hudson, approached the victim just before 8 p.m. in the area of Endicott and Vernon streets.

Merriam, who was with another man at the time, asked the girl if she wanted to see his dog, police said. Merriam grabbed the victim and prevented her from leaving, police said.

The victim tried to break free from Merriam several times but was unsuccessful. She was able to escape when she kicked Merriam, police said. The victim ran inside a local business to call for help.

As a K-9 officer was responding to the scene, police said he saw a man matching Merriam’s description walking down Vernon Street toward Kelley Square.

Police said when the officer approached Merriam he became confrontational. The officer radioed for assistance, and Merriam was taken into custody.

The other man, who has not been found, is described as Black man, who is possibly balding and was wearing a gray hooded sweatshirt.

www.wcvb.com