Authorities in Michigan said a foursome of quick-thinking girls were able to overpower and outwit a would-be kidnapper.
In a Facebook post, the Millington Police Department described the incident, which occurred on Friday evening outside of a convenience store.
“A 22 yr old man followed them across the street and grabbed the youngest girl around the head and told her she was coming with him,” police reported. “The other three girls, kicked, hit, and threw their hot coffee on him. The suspect let the young girl go and grabbed another one of the girls by her hair. The suspect was again kicked and hit by the girls until he let her go and fled on foot towards the Elevator. The girls then ran into the Millington Inn asking for help.”
Police responded to take the girls’ statements and a deputy located the suspect a short distance away, as reported by Fox News.
Bruce Hipkins was arrested on suspicion of four felony counts and one misdemeanor related to the incident.
As of the latest reports available, he remained behind bars at the Tuscola County Jail with bond set at $250,000.
The Washington Post interviewed 11-year-old Allison Eickhoff, the youngest of the alleged victims.
She credited her father, who “taught us some moves,” and lessons learned from crime TV shows for equipping them with the knowledge needed to take on their attacker.
Millington Police Chief Jason Oliver said the girls “did great” and reacted in the best possible way.
“They fought the suspect — and they won,” he said.
[Featured image: Bruce Hipkins, Tuscola County Jail]