Police are asking for the public’s help in finding a man who is believed to have kidnapped and sexually assaulted a 14-year-old girl last week near Moana­lua High School in Salt Lake.

Police said the man approached the girl from behind as she was walking on Ala Ilima Street, struck her, then dragged her to his vehicle. The girl fled from the vehicle after striking the man.

Police said the man groped the girl during the incident at about 2:30 p.m. July 3.

Moanalua High School Principal Darrel Galera said the girl will be a freshman at the school this year.

Police said she was walking to a school event when she was assaulted.

Galera said the school has been in contact with the girl’s family and notified staff about the incident at the school, which is on summer break.

"We’re concerned about the report," Galera said. "We will continue to do whatever we can to make sure the students or incoming students are safe."

Classes will resume July 30.

Police opened a third-degree sexual assault and a kidnapping case.

Authorities described the attacker as in his 40s, about 6 feet tall and 200 pounds. He had a crew cut and brown hair and eyes.

The only description of the man’s vehicle was a rust-colored, four-door vehicle with white spots on the hood.

Anyone with information on the incident is asked to call CrimeStoppers at 955-8300 or *CRIME from a cellphone.