Montreal police Cmdr. Jacquelin St-Pierre is recommending students travel in groups. (CBC)

Montreal police are investigating a report of a second attempted abduction in one week in Pointe-Claire.

The description of the suspect is similar to the man alleged to have been involved in an abduction bid last Thursday, said police.

Police said a 13-year-old was walking to school near Duke-of-Kent Avenue and Westbank Avenue around 9:15 a.m. Wednesday when a man offered her a lift.

The girl declined, but said the man then grabbed her by her arm and tried to pull her into his minivan, according to police.

“She broke loose of the hold of the suspect, she ran to her school and called police,” said Const. Daniel Lacoursière.

The girl, a student at Félix-Leclerc High School, had scratches to her arm and was taken to hospital, where she was treated for shock.

"We are taking this very seriously," said police Cmdr. Jacquelin St-Pierre.

Similar description

The man was described as French-speaking, about 40 years old with short brown hair. He is about five-feet-eight and weighs 160 pounds.

He was driving a red, rusted, older-model minivan.

Last Thursday, a 12-year student at St. Thomas High School, which is next to Félix-Leclerc school, said a man tried to grab him near the corner of St. Louis and Marsh avenues.

That suspect was described as an English-speaking white man between 40 and 50 years of age, driving a red, older-model minivan.

"We think it is possible it is the same individual," said St-Pierre.

Police are asking people with any information to come forward.

"Maybe there was some behaviour seen in the preceding days — a man in his 40s who may have seemed suspicious, maybe someone saw a licence plate, or knows someone."

St-Pierre said police are in contact with school board authorities.

He is recommending students let their parents know what route they are taking to and from school.

"As much as possible, travel in groups of two or more," St-Pierre said.

He added that police haver already increased patrols in the area since the last abduction attempt.