Brighton reacts to attempted kidnapping

Some Brighton residents are on the edge after a 16-year-old girl was the target of an attempting abduction in the Twelve Corners area.

On Tuesday, officers spent the afternoon handing out flyers with a suspect description and searching for witnesses. Police say around just before 6 Monday evening a suspicious man walked into Bagel Land where the teen was working as a clerk. He allegedley told the girl her parents were in accident and she had to come with him. When she said no, he tried to grab her from behind the counter. But she punched him in the face and he ran away.

Roxanne Ravajo is an employee at Bagel Land in Twelve Corners Plaza in Brighton. She works with the girl who was targeted. "I was so scared because I have to work the next day and I'm wondering am I going to have to work alone? I don't know what I would have done myself. You know just by what she did I thought that was really courageous," said Ravajo.

Bagel Land's Owner Bob Juliano is also reacting to the attempted kidnapping. He says he's investing in a surveillance camera. He also says from now on there will be two employees behind the counter at all times. "I never want this to happen again. But if it does we're going to be ready. I want to have something to show the Police Department that this is what happened and I want it to be accurate," said Juliano.

What's causing a lot of concern for parents and children is Bagel Land is right across the street from two schools. News 8 spoke with two Brighton High School alumni who say the plaza has always been a safe hang out. "We hang out across the street a lot or used to when we were in High School and I know I used to come to Starbucks with my friends," said Anna Falkovich. "You don't ever think of Brighton as a very dangerous place especially with the plaza being so close to schools so a lot walk here after or during school," said Marina Zhavoronkova.

As for Roxanne Ravajo she says she'll call police if she sees anything suspicious from now on. "I guess by this experience we'll learn to just be more cautious and be aware of surroundings," said Ravajo.