The event, which occurred around 7 p.m. near Soldier's Memorial Fountain, began when the van pulled up next to the teen and a passenger asked if she wanted a ride, police said.
The teen declined and began to walk away when another man bear-hugged her and dragged her into the van; there were three white men in the van, police added.
The teen was eventually able to escape in the area of Garden Street and Brookside Avenue, police.
The van's plate number, as well as its make, model and year, are unknown.
Police said the van may have been involved in other suspicious activity in the Eighth Ward area of the city.
Anyone with information about the vehicle is urged to call the City of Poughkeepsie Police Department confidential Tip Line at 845-451-7577.
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