FRESNO (KMJ) – Fresno Police are warning parents after a man tried to lure a number of young school girls into his car.
In two separate incidents, girls were walking near Vinland Elementary School by Gettysburg when police say a man drove up and tried to get them to come into his car.
After the girls declined, he drove away.
“That individual’s description is a black male adult in his 20’s, with a beard. Driving a four-door black or dark-colored Honda – could be purple in color,” said Captain Mindy Casto.
Captain Casto said officials and resource officers at Vinland Elementary at 4666 N. Maple haven been notified and are on alert.
“The Fresno Police Department is committed to maintaining the safety of children in our city. Additional personnel, including Traffic officers, plainclothes detectives and patrol units are being deployed to schools and their surrounding areas while we continue to ensure the safety of our children.”
in a news release, the Fresno Police Department said at the beginning of each school year, they sometimes receive calls regarding suspicious vehicles at or near local schools.
Out of an abundance of caution, they advise the public to speak to their children about the importance of personal safety to and from school:
- Please remind your children not to talk to strangers, never get into a car with someone they don’t know.
- Discuss the option of running away if they sense they are in danger.
- Encourage your child to immediately report any suspicious persons attempting to contact them to a responsible adult or caretaker as soon as possible.
- Please contact the Fresno Police Department to report such incidents at (559) 621-7000.
Click to hear the report by KMJ’s Liz Kern:
