Unidentified suspect tried to kidnap female jogger, police say

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A 23-year-old St. Pete woman nearly became the victim of a kidnapping Wednesday morning.

She was running along Coffee Pot Bayou before 6 a.m. when an orange car pulled up and the driver asked for directions. 

She says he then pulled out a gun and demanded she get in the car.

“I was just in shock and I said, ‘No,’ and I sprinted in the opposite direction he was driving,” said Allie. “I was sprinting away thinking, ‘This guy is going to shoot me.’”

FOX 13 is not using her last name to protect her identity.

Now, St. Pete Police are looking for that vehicle, a small, burnt orange cross-over, possibly a Toyota Scion.  The suspect was described as a black man with dreadlocks who was seen wearing a black t-shirt. 

Police also plan to step up patrols in the area of Coffee Pot Boulevard.  

“It goes to show you never know and to always have your guard up,” Allie said.

Anyone with information is asked to call the St. Petersburg Police Department at 727-893-7780.