GRESHAM, Ore. -- A 12-year-old girl escaped the grasp of a man trying to kidnap her Thursday, police said.

A man driving a red pickup truck with a red canopy tried to engage the girl in a conversation near Southeast 162nd Avenue and Burnside Street.

When she didn't respond, the man got out of his truck and tried to pull her inside the vehicle, police said. The girl resisted, escaped his grasp and fled to a nearby business, officers said.

The girl called her mother, who in turn called police. The victim wasn't injured in the incident, which happened at about 2:45 p.m.

Her father said his children know what to do if a stranger approaches.

"I've told them how to fight, they all know how to fight," said Kent Mastney. "Fight back and try to get away as fast as you can."

The man who attempted the kidnapping is described as Hispanic, in his early 20s, 5 feet 7 inches tall and about 140 pounds. His hair is short and spiked on the top of his head and combed in the back. He also has slight facial hair on his chin and wore sunglasses at the time of the incident, police said.

Anyone who may have information on the man's identity is asked to call Gresham police at 503-823-3333.

Man Attempts Kidnapping In Gresham