Authorities said a child escaped after a reported attempted abduction near a neighborhood bus stop.
CHESAPEAKE, Va. — Police in Virginia are searching for a suspect accused of approaching children while wearing a pink, cat-like costume and allegedly attempting to abduct a young girl near a residential neighborhood Monday morning.
Authorities said the incident happened near a school bus stop as children prepared for the start of the school day. Investigators said the girl managed to break free and run to safety before the suspect fled the area. Officers increased patrols around nearby schools and neighborhoods as detectives worked to identify the person involved.
According to police, witnesses described the suspect as wearing a full-body pink costume resembling the Pink Panther cartoon character. Investigators said the suspect approached several children in the area before allegedly grabbing one girl by the arm. The child escaped and alerted nearby adults, prompting emergency calls to police. Officials did not release the child’s age but said she was not physically injured during the encounter.
Residents in the neighborhood said the unusual costume initially caused confusion among children and parents before panic spread through the area. Some witnesses told officers the suspect had been seen walking near neighborhoods and school bus routes earlier in the morning. Police canvassed nearby streets for surveillance video from homes and businesses that may have captured the suspect’s movements before and after the incident.
Chesapeake police urged residents to report suspicious activity and said officers were reviewing witness statements as part of the investigation. Detectives also worked with school officials to notify parents about the incident. Additional officers were assigned near schools and bus stops while authorities searched for the suspect.
Investigators had not announced any arrests as of Tuesday afternoon. Officials said they were still trying to determine whether the suspect acted alone and whether other encounters involving children in the area may be connected. Police did not release details about a possible vehicle or direction of travel.
The incident quickly drew attention across social media because of the suspect’s unusual appearance and the location near children waiting for school transportation. Parents in the area described heightened concern as officers continued patrols around neighborhoods and schools throughout the day.
Law enforcement agencies across the country regularly investigate reports of suspicious approaches near schools and bus stops, though officials cautioned that early witness descriptions can change as investigators gather additional evidence. In this case, police said detectives were focused on confirming the timeline and reviewing available video footage.
Authorities said the investigation remained active Tuesday and asked anyone with information or surveillance footage from the area to contact Chesapeake police. Detectives are expected to continue interviews and evidence reviews in the coming days.
Author note: Last updated May 19, 2026.