Atlanta police have released a sketch of the suspect being sought in connection with two attempted abduction/kidnappings earlier this week in southeast Atlanta.

The incidents occurred early Wednesday morning in Edgewood and Reynoldstown, when a man allegedly kidnapped two women at gunpoint between 1:50 a.m. and 2:20 a.m.

The suspect also may have been prowling in Grant Park watching people there.

One Ormewood Park mother told East Atlanta Patch her nanny told her that she saw the suspect at the Grant Park playground about a week ago. He was sitting by himself watching people over two consecutive days, the mom reported the nanny telling her.

Police are investigating that incident.

In the Edgewood case, a Georgia State University student was on the porch with a friend in the 100 block of Mayson Avenue, when the gunman dragged her and forced her into the trunk of his car.

He drove around for several minutes before she was able to escape by unlocking the latch from the inside of the trunk at Arkwright Place and Whitefoord Avenue.

Moments later, he then went to Reynoldstown and attempted to abduct another woman who was going to her vehicle in the 1100 block of Hawthorne Street near the Walthall Street intersection. She got away when an off-duty Atlanta police officer that lives nearby heard her screams and came to her aid.

Late Thursday, police fanned Edgewood and Reynoldtown canvassing the neighborhoods door-to-door and asking residents what, if anything, they saw.

APD Maj. Keith Meadows, Zone 6 commander, said it does not appear to be gang-related and that it is not connected to a number of rapes that have occured in Buckhead in recent years.

He did say he is concerned that having failed twice, the suspect may escalate his attacks.

"That's always a possibility," Meadows said during a news briefing about the crimes. "We have to be mindful that sort of behavior is progressive."

Police say the man is:

• Black
• 5'6" tall
• 130 pounds
• Late teens to early 20s

The victims did not get the make or model of the vehicle but describe it as being dark-colored, small and a late 1990s to early 2000s model.

Anyone with information is urged to call 911 or Crime Stoppers Atlanta at 404.577.TIPS (8477).

A $2,000 reward is being offered for his capture.

Get the latest on crime and crime-related issues that affect the East Atlanta Patch neighborhoods covered by APD Zone 6 by going to our Zone 6 Crime Page.