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Girl, 6, flees after abduction, attempted rape

E-mail|Link|Comments () June 27, 2009 11:07 PM

By Michael Corcoran, Globe Correspondent

HANOVER — A 26-year-old man was charged with kidnapping and attempted rape of a 6-year-old girl who disappeared while riding her bicycle Saturday and later escaped from an apartment in shackles, authorities said.

The child had been gone about 30 minutes while bicycling at the Hanover Woods apartment complex on Franks Lane, when her mother reported her missing to police at 1:05 p.m., Plymouth District Attorney Timothy J. Cruz said at a press conference Saturday night.

Police responded immediately, and as they did a door-to-door search, the child escaped, her legs in shackles, Cruz said. She pointed to an apartment, and police entered.

After a struggle, police arrested Justin Shine, 26, of Hanover, who had self-inflicted wounds, Cruz said. He would not say whether Shine lived at the apartment.

The girl was taken to a hospital, but authorities would not comment on whether she was injured.

‘‘Officials did an excellent job,’’ Cruz told reporters at the Hanover police station. ‘‘It’s fair to say that if the police didn’t do the job that they did, that this situation may have ended worse.’’

Shine, who was also transported to a hospital, was charged with kidnapping, attempted rape, assault, and resisting arrest, Cruz said. He said that charges may be added or modified pending the investigation. Shine will be arraigned Monday in Hingham District Court.

Cruz said there was evidence that Shine had the child detained inside the apartment. There were no reports of weapons found.

Hanover police Chief Walter Sweeney said officers responded to the mother’s report immediately. ‘‘We get calls about children missing all the time, and our police treated this with absolute seriousness and were diligent in their work,’’ he said.

Last night, police tape blocked off part of the complex of two- and three-story buildings, located off Route 139 near a shopping mall. Residents of the complex said they were stunned by news of the abduction.

‘‘It’s disgusting to have this happen to someone so close to where I live,’’ said Rob Jolly, 32, adding that he did not know anyone involved.

‘‘I have been here for two years and it’s a great place to live with a lot of families. It is very safe and that is one of the reasons I moved here. Sometimes there’s loud parties, but that’s about it.’’

Cruz said there had been no similar activity in the area, and they did not believe anyone else was involved in yesterday’s attack.

‘‘We want parents to know that this man is in custody and that there have been no prior events to this and they should not be concerned,’’ Cruz said.