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Last updated on Friday, February 3, 2012
(EVANSVILLE)(WFIE) - Police say Tuesday around 5:00 p.m., a child was lured into a maroon four-door car and was sexually abused.
Now, police have a suspect.
Police arrested 26-year-old Jack Perkins III on counts of Child Molestation and Criminal Confinement.
Police say multiple tips from the public led them to Perkins and he confessed during an interview with EPD's Sex Crimes Unit.
Wednesday , parents say they'll be keeping a closer eye on their kids.
"It's horrible to even think about," said parent Jocelyn Hunt.
Parents on Maxwell Avenue are still in shock.
Sharin Shank runs a day-care and has children of her own. She says she's heard of theft in the neighborhood, but nothing like an abduction.
"Never of children being harmed or hurt or anything like that, no," Shank said.
Police say just before 5:00 p.m. Tuesday, two children were walking in an alley near Maxwell and Elliott when one child was lured into a maroon four-door car.
Police say the child was sexually abused before escaping the car.
Wednesday, EPD passed out flier in a four-block radius, asking for any suspect information.
"As a parent, it puts fear in you. I mean you want to be able to protect your children at all times but you can't never let them go out," said EPD PIO Jason Cullum.
Cullum says this type of crime is uncommon in Evansville and he says what's concerning is that the suspect didn't know the victim.
"Most of the cases we see locally, it's a family member, maybe a non-custodial parent. So, for there to be a stranger come into the neighborhood and commit this crime, it's very unusual," Cullum said.
For parents like Shank, events like this mean a closer watch on neighborhood kids.
"I let them ride their bikes up and down the street and yeah, that's not going to happen anymore. My husband's going to have to make some more daddy time," Shank commented.
Police say right now, they're looking into unsolved cases to see if there are additional victims.
They say if you have any information on an unsolved case, call Detective Brian Turpin at 812-435-6261.
To clarify, the man arrested in this case is not Dr. Jack Perkins III, who runs a dental practice out of Owensboro.
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