POULSBO — A 12-year-old girl walking home from Poulsbo Middle School two months ago was grabbed by a teen or young adult male who pulled her down a nearby driveway, the Poulsbo Police Department reported June 8.

Police Chief Dan Schoonmaker said the girl was able to break free and run home, and was not physically injured. She didn’t tell her parents about the incident until recently. “We got the information third-hand and followed up with the parents,” he said.

The incident is being treated as an attempted sexual assault, and Schoonmaker said officers are on patrol in the area of all Poulsbo schools “for arrival and dismissal though the remainder of the school year.”

The incident occurred after school near Hostmark Street and 13th Avenue.

The suspect is described as a male, Caucasian, between the ages of 16 and 22. The suspect has brown hair, blue eyes and did not have any facial hair or visible tattoos. The girl does not know the suspect, Schoonmaker said.

Schoonmaker said this suspect is believed to be a different person than the suspect in a child luring attempt at Poulsbo Middle School on Jan. 10.

“We don’t believe [the cases] are related,” he said.

Poulsbo police detectives are investigating and attempting to identify the suspect. Anyone with information should contact Detective Dave Shurick at 360-394-9783.

The department issued the following safety reminders:

All parents should speak with their students about safety when walking to and from school.

• Walk in groups or pairs to and from school.
• Never accept rides from strangers.
• If approached by a stranger, keep a safe distance and think of a direction to run if
• needed.
• Run to a safe place, i.e. school, church, store, etc.
• Shout and yell as loud as you can.
• Never give out your name or address to people you do not know. This is especially true on the Internet.
• Always let your parents know where you are; take the same route to and from school each day.
• Report all suspicious activity by calling 9-1-1.