MPD is asking the public for help in finding man they say has kidnapped several women

The Memphis Police Department is looking for a man in his 20s that investigators believe has been abducting and sexually assaulting women in three South Memphis communities.

MPD has joined forces with the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Shelby County Sheriff's Office to track down the man, who the department said is operating in the Gaslight, Bunker Hill and Cane Creek communities. The department is also working to provide extra officers to Memphis-Shelby County Schools for additional security.

"For several weeks, the Memphis Police Department has conducted investigations within the South Memphis communities of Gaslight, Bunker Hill and Cane Creek," a statement from the department read. MPD said a man in his early 20s in a dark-colored SUV has been approaching young women during the early morning hours and forcing them into his truck.

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During the investigation, police say they believe the incidents could be connected, with victims in multiple incidents saying the man sexually assaulted them.

When asked how many incidents investigators have connected to the man, MPD Public Affairs Manager Kim Elder said, "All available information has been released at this time."

MPD is asking residents of the area to help them with the investigation, "regardless of how minor you think your information might be." Anyone with information, or those who were approached by the man, are asked to call Crime Stoppers at (901)528-2274.

Lucas Finton is a criminal justice reporter with The Commercial Appeal. He can be reached at Lucas.Finton@commercialappeal.com and followed on Twitter @LucasFinton.

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: MPD searching for man who they say kidnapped many in South Memphis area