The LaPorte County Sheriff’s Office has released new information after man tried to abduct a 1-year-old boy but shoving him in a duffel bag.

The incident happened in the 7400 block of State road 4 in the Fish Lake area shortly after 6 p.m. on Thursday, June 29.

The suspect allegedly approached the homeowner, saying his vehicle broke down. When the homeowner went to get some water, officers say the suspect was trying to put the boy in a duffel bag. The homeowner attacked the suspect, took the boy inside, and came back out to see the suspect speeding off.

The sheriff’s department released the following information on Saturday, July 1:

Following a lengthy interview with the father of the victim, we are releasing a more detailed description of the suspect as well as the suspect’s vehicle.

The suspect is being described as a white male in his 40’s with brown, scruffy “surfer” type hair, 5’11” tall, 200 pounds and a stocky “athletic” build. The suspect was described as having tan and leathery skin, crow’s feet around his eyes and was unshaven. He was also described as wearing rings on the fingers of both hands. At the time of the incident he was wearing a white tee-shirt, gray camouflage shorts, brown work boots with white socks.

The vehicle that the suspect fled in was described as being similar to a silver or gray 1990’s model Ford Aerostar van. The father of the one-year-old victim does not believe that there was anyone else in the van.

Anyone that has information regarding this case or that may have seen the suspect vehicle in the area of Fish Lake Thursday around 6:00 PM (CST) is asked to call the La Porte County Sheriff’s Office at 219.326.7700.