CENTRALIA — Centralia police say they believe two attempted kidnappings Thursday night were more likely attempted batteries.

According to Lt. Greg Dodson, the alleged suspect is described as a “pre-teen” and is known to the complainants. Dodson says the alleged suspect was riding his bike and attempted to pull the other two children off the riding toys they were on. It’s believed there is a 3-4 year age difference between the suspect and the other two children.

He says police are leaning more toward believing the incidents were more of a potential battery situation than attempted kidnappings. But as of 10 p.m. officers had not yet located the suspect for questioning.

Centralia police initially responded to a call just before 8 p.m. Thursday in the 600 block of Robnett Drive reporting a young black or Hispanic male riding a bicycle attempted to kidnap two different children in the same time frame. He was last seen riding his bike north toward Maulding Drive.

Police continue to investigate the incident. While they have been given a name of the suspect, they have been unable to locate him or identify his parents. Dodson believes the school resource officer will be able to help further the investigation.

The report comes less than a week after a 15-year-old juvenile male allegedly attempted to abduct a young girl on South Brookside as she was walking to school. Her mother was nearby and screamed when the male allegedly grabbed the girl. He reportedly let her go and fled from the scene.

The suspect was later located and arrested. He was subsequently taken to the juvenile detention facility in Madison County on a charge of aggravated attempted kidnapping and aggravated assault.