Police Search For Man After Attempted Abduction

LIGONIER TWP, Pa. — (WPXI) – Ligonier Valley police are searching for a man suspected in an attempted kidnapping in Ligonier Township. Assistant police chief Michael Matrunics says a young woman jogging Sunday morning near a shaded area on a popular walking trail on Route 381 was approached by a man with a gun. “A girl was running on a back road, and she was approached by a male in a rural area (in Rector) where there are no homes and then this incident occurred,” said Matrunics. Police are unsure if the suspect had been following the woman. They said he pulled his sedan in front of her, got out of the car, and demanded she get in the trunk. The suspect fired multiple shots. The victim was not shot, but police believe the suspect may have been trying to scare her into following his orders. The jogger was able to fight off her attacker until a passer-by arrived, and she got to safety unharmed. Police are searching for the suspect who they described as a white male between 50 to 60 years old, about 5 feet, 7 inches tall, with a “scruffy” white beard. The suspect was driving an older model blue sedan with chipping paint. Anyone with information about the vehicle or the suspect is asked to contact 911.