Men attempt to lure children to their vehicles
By The Emporia Gazette (Contact)
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
The Emporia Police Department today released further details on last week’s occurrences that involved juveniles being approached by occupants in vehicles.
According to a press release by Michael Williams, deputy police chief, on Friday, two complaints were received regarding the occupants of a purple unknown make/model two-door vehicle and a black van, also unknown make/model, attempting to get children to enter their vehicles.
The first occurrence was near Village School after school was dismissed for the day on Thursday and involved the unknown purple vehicle which was occupied by two unknown white males with one having curly brown/blonde hair.
The second occurrence was near Lowther South School on Friday and was prior to classes starting for the day. The unknown black van was involved in this occurrence and was occupied by unknown white and black males.
In a separate release by Michael Lopez, interim police chief, after further follow-up investigation regarding the two separate incidents of students being approached by unknown people in vehicles, Lopez said the police department have not been able to determine if the incidents are related.
“However, we do feel there was no intent of foul play not any intent of an abduction of students,” Lopez said.
The first incident was a third-party report by the father of the student. The daughter reported to her father two people inside a car. She was unable to describe the occupants other than the passenger was a white male teenager who was trying to get kids to come over to see his wrestling belt. Lopez said the incident actually occurred on Wednesday near Village.
The second incident occurred at Lowther South Intermediate School prior to school. The mother of the 11-year-old student did not call the police department until about 3 p.m. the same day. The student reported a newer van with tinted windows occupied by three or four white and black males who tried to talk him into the van. The student added a white male with brown hair opened the side door and spoke to him. No other information was provided by the student.
The officer taking the second call was aware of the first incident and felt the information needed to be passed on to the school administrators from USD 253 in order to alert them of the two incidents. This was done late Friday afternoon to the School Board office.
“We strongly suggest parents need and should educate their children on the possible dangers of strangers contacting their children and for the students to report such incidents immediately to a teacher and their parents,” Lopez said.
chel14119 (anonymous) says...
Thank God these sick men didn't get ahold of any kids! This situation is so scary! A lot of parents think that Emporia is small enough that they don't have to worry so much, but no place is too small! This threat is everywhere. Parents, please educate your children on the danger of strangers. No matter where you are, or when it is, the risk of losing your child is always there.
April 11, 2007 at 11:51 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )