Winnipeg police released composite sketches Thursday of a man who tried to abduct an 11-year-old boy in the East Kildonan area last month.

The boy was walking alone near Simpson Avenue and Besant Street at around 4 p.m. on June 25 when a van drove up behind him. Police said the man got out of the van and yelled, "Get in my car now."

The boy tried to run away, but police said the man grabbed his right wrist and tried to drag him towards the van. The boy then began yelling and hitting at the man's arm and police said he eventually broke free and ran home.

On Thursday, police put out two sketches — one of the man's face and one of a tattoo on his right forearm.

The suspect is described as about 24 years old, medium build, and between six-foot-three and six-foot-six tall.

He has dark, medium-length hair, a dark thin goatee and a moustache. The suspect also had stained, yellowing teeth with some missing and a tattoo of a cross on his right forearm.

The suspect was wearing a black hoodie with some white on the front, black pants with a hole in the left knee, black shoes with white trim around the sole area and sunglasses.

Police said the van was a newer model, possibly a Dodge Caravan, with tinted windows and red colouring on the rear bumper.

Police are asking anyone with information to contact detectives at 204-986-2857 or Crime Stoppers at 204-786-8477.