Kenneth C. Albertelli
Chief of Police
30 Mt Vernon St.
Winchester, MA 01890
For Immediate Release
Monday, Sept. 21, 2015
Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: john@jgpr.net
*UPDATED* Winchester Police Charge Man, 36, with Attempted Abduction of 10-Year-Old Girl
Investigation Led Police to Same Suspect in Custody for Boston Attack
UPDATE: The suspect is identified as MICHAEL J. PURPURA, AGE 36, OF WESTWOOD.
He was formally charged this afternoon with Attempted Kidnapping, and other charges may be forthcoming.
Original release:
WINCHESTER — Chief Kenneth C. Albertelli reports that the Winchester Police Department, investigating an attack on a 10-year-old girl, will seek charges against the same sexual assault suspect arrested last week by the Boston Police Department.
The Department is expected to shortly announce charges against a 36-year-old Westwood man who was arrested in Boston on Sunday for an attack in the Fenway neighborhood. Police allege that the suspect attacked and tried to abduct a 10-year-old girl on Saturday, one day before he was taken into custody.
On Saturday, Sept.19, 2015 at approximately 4:20 p.m., Winchester Police responded to Skillings Field by the walk through tunnel for a report of an assault on a child. Upon arrival, the child reported that she was approached by a white male with scruffy facial hair.
The suspect allegedly asked the girl if she knew what time it was and she said she did not know. The suspect then walked away through the tunnel toward Spruce Street, but reappeared a short time later while the girl was walking through the tunnel and placed his hand over her mouth and picked her up off of the ground. The girl kicked and tried to yell and she was eventually able to get away from the man. She ran out onto the field and approached a group of adults and told them about the incident, who then called police and the girl’s parents.
Police conducted a thorough search of the area, but were unable to locate the suspect.
An investigation was launched, and footage was taken from multiple surveillance cameras. The investigation quickly pointed to the suspect.
This appears to be an isolated incident, and no other types of incidents like have been reported in the region.
“This is a very disturbing case in which a man allegedly attacked a young girl,” Chief Albertelli said. “Our detectives worked aggressively and diligently to put together a case, and I am grateful that this appears to be an isolated incident. I also want to recognize the victim in this case. Despite a terrible trauma and attempted abduction, this young girl had the presence of mind to fight off her attacker and immediately report what had happened to a group of adults. She is very brave.”
More information will be released when it becomes available. Anyone with additional information on this case is urged to contact the Winchester Police Department at 781-729-1212.
These are allegations. All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty.
###
Discover more from John Guilfoil Public Relations
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.