SAN DIEGO - Authorities asked the public Wednesday for help in identifying a man who chased down an 11-year-old boy in an apparent abduction attempt on a North County roadside two weeks ago, then stole the child's backpack.

The child was walking home from Madison Middle School on South Melrose Drive in Vista about 5:30 p.m. Jan. 10 when he noticed that a stranger with a skateboard in his hands was following him, according to sheriff's officials.

After about a half-mile, the man suddenly began running after the boy. As the youngster fled, the assailant grabbed his backpack and pulled it away, after which the child was able to escape.

The boy described the would-be abductor as a dark-skinned Latino in his 30s or early 40s, with a double chin and protruding ears. The man was wearing dark jeans, a long-sleeved white shirt with rainbow stripes on it and what appeared to be black baseball-style batting gloves.

Anyone with information about the case was asked to call San Diego County Crime Stoppers at (888) 580-8477. Tipsters may remain anonymous and could be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.