The suspect is about 5-foot-6 and weigh about 135 pounds. He is in his late twenties to early thirties and was wearing baggy jean shorts that reached to his ankles.

LAPD detectives are looking for a man who attempted to kidnap an 11-year-old boy off the street in a Chinatown neighborhood on Dec. 14.

The boy, who attends Nightingale Junior High School, was walking home at about 1 p.m., on Yale Street, near Alpine Street, when the suspect grabbed the boy's arm, police said. The boy pulled away from the man's grip, but the suspect grabbed him by the shirt. The boy again fought back and the suspect ran away. The boy was not injured.

"The young man did the right thing to fight back," Det. Amy Sundquist said. "We encourage any victim to fight off a kidnapper and draw attention to one's self."

Since the incident, detectives have spoken to the boy's parents and the school principal so other children can be warned. The attempted kidnapping occurred near a popular youth sports and recreation park on Yale Street. Detectives detained one man during the course of the investigation, but have since eliminated him as the suspect.

"Our victim said the suspect appeared to be dirty, so he might be living in the area on the street," Sundquist said. "We're hoping someone will recognize this man from the area and call us."

The suspect is believed to be African American. He is about 5-foot-6 and weighs about 135 pounds. He is in his late twenties to early thirties and was wearing baggy jean shorts that reached to his ankles and a do-rag on his head. Anyone with information on this crime is urged to call Det. Amy Sundquist, Central Robbery Unit, at (213) 972-1244.