Pr. William police watching area of Monday abduction attempt

A man tried to abduct a 5-year-old boy Monday in Prince William County, said police, and officers were to spend Tuesday handing out flyers in the Bristow area where the incident took place.

County officers said the boy and his 9-year-old brother were walking home from a friend's house about 5 p.m., near Lennice Way, when a stranger came up from behind and tried to grab the younger boy. The older brother pushed the boy away, and the man fled, the boys told police.

They were unharmed and ran home.

Officers said the suspect was described as white, 40 to 50 years old, 5-foot-8 or 5-foot-9, and 170 pounds. They said he had a blond goatee and a small silver hoop earring in his right ear. He wore a polo shirt and jeans.

-- Martin Weil