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CHICAGO — A 9-year-old girl was able to escape after a man tried to kidnap her outside of a West Ridge grocery store.

The girl was walking with a woman near the Cermak Fresh Market on the 6600 block of North Damen Avenue just before 10 a.m. Wednesday when a man picked her up and ran away with her.

One witness told WGN News he noticed the man running and soon saw a woman take off after them.

“Much to her credit, the young girl did all the right things. She yelled, she kicked, and we later found out- only being 9 years old, she tried to bite the finger of the guy and I think he finally gave up, dropped her, took off, and I think he wanted to protect himself and get away,” the witness said.

The offender was described by police as a Black man about 5 feet 8 inches to 5 feet 10 inches tall, about 150 to 170 pounds, with short dreadlocks and glasses. Police said he was wearing a white shirt, gray pants, white gym shoes and a camouflage baseball hat.

The 9-year-old was not injured and Area Three detectives are investigating. Anyone with information can leave an anonymous tip at cpdtip.com.