The Emporia Police Department is investigating reports that a man is attempting to talk young boys into coming over to his vehicle in the area around 11th Avenue and Neosho Street and 10th Avenue and West Street.
The man is described as being chubby, white, in his 50s or 60s with shorter brown hair. He was driving a white truck, which possibly is a work truck, with lumber and other items in the back.
He has been approaching young boys approximately 12 years of age, according to Sgt. Carlton Heller of EPD's patrol division.
"Each attempt to lure a child to the truck resulted in the child running from the truck," Owens said in a news release.
"At this time, the Emporia Police Department is stepping up patrols of the schools along with the areas the man has been reported in," Heller said.
Anyone who has information regarding the man's identity, or who observes suspicious behavior or a truck matching the description, is asked to immediately notify the police department at 342-1766 or by dialing 911.
Comments
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ToxicPink (anonymous) says...
Why is this not breaking news at the top! Please make it more noticeable!!!
November 12, 2009 at 12:39 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ToxicPink (anonymous) says...
Lol I fail. It wasn't when I was on the front page, found it at the bottom, clicked on it, posted and then went back to the front page where it IS now breaking news.
Winner Winner. XD
November 12, 2009 at 12:40 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
HenryVIII (anonymous) says...
Good job running away, kids! That said, maybe the poor sap was just trying to ask the kids directions to his job site... How exactly did he attempt to "lure" the kids to the truck? Piece o' candy on a string or was he just asking questions from a distance?
'enry
November 12, 2009 at 1:41 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
giggles (anonymous) says...
I have heard a couple of things such as offering them candy, and just plain yelling for them to get in his truck. I don't really know, but I won't feel safe for my children until he is caught!
November 12, 2009 at 1:56 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
COReally (anonymous) says...
I got an email from someone here in town that said he just followed one boy and then yelled at another to get in his truck. I hope they find him soon.
November 12, 2009 at 2:03 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
railroadhorn (anonymous) says...
I live in the area - you can be sure my family will be keeping a close eye out for that truck!
November 12, 2009 at 2:31 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
madpoet (anonymous) says...
Unfortunately, the world is full of perverts. Many moons ago an older man in a van tried to coax me into his vehicle by saying he had something for me. He mumbled the word so I never knew what he was offering or if he was letting me fill in the blank. I was a teenager and bolted for home and called 911. I'm glad the boys knew enough to run away and tell an adult what happened.
November 12, 2009 at 2:39 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
Hey Gazette!
Thanks for the breaking news banner, but could you move the picture of the two Boy Scouts at the parade from under the banner?
November 12, 2009 at 3:02 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
HenryVIII (anonymous) says...
Steve_Corbin,
I was thinking the same thing! I know the pic was there first, but still very disturbing somehow!
'enry
November 12, 2009 at 3:39 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
garate5 (anonymous) says...
This is an issue that I think the schools should have informed parents about. Not a happy parent!!
November 12, 2009 at 4:33 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
dale011 (anonymous) says...
Have you ever looked at the map that shows where the sex offenders live in the Emporia area? There are way too many of them for a community of this size.
November 12, 2009 at 4:41 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
dale011;
Those are only the ones that have been convicted.
November 12, 2009 at 8 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
hellfirebluefish (anonymous) says...
It makes me wonder if the incident in Newton is connected to this... here is the link to the story from KAKE.
http://www.kake.com/home/headlines/69...
November 12, 2009 at 8:13 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
zumba1 (anonymous) says...
Thank you Emporia for doing such a wonderful job of spreading the word. The truck is a white work truck with no top....its like you could hold your arms up & start waving. I know it sounds strange but this is one thing that is FOR SURE. Following one young man...glaring "like he hated me" and telling another (4 hours later) to get in his truck. No candy & definitely not asking for directions.....ADULTS (strangers) DO NOT NEED HELP FROM KIDS....its what I teach my children.
November 12, 2009 at 10:58 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sandman (anonymous) says...
jimbo, PLEASE! Is that not the way to destroy someones life? 'Idle gossip???? Isn't there a police department to handle this without naming someone??? How would you like your name posted here as a possible "sex offender"? Let's get FACTS BEFORE you destroy someones life!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
November 13, 2009 at 7:16 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
zumba1 (anonymous) says...
Yes...please be careful when naming names here...thanks.
November 13, 2009 at 7:26 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
madpoet (anonymous) says...
It's a sad world we live in when we have to tell our children to not give help to a stranger. I don't know if there's more perverts or just more awareness nowadays. And the sex offender map is scary. Especially when you realize that's a fraction of the warped people out there. That's why we live out in the county where the population density is way lower and we can spot a stranger easily and know most of our neighbors.
November 13, 2009 at 8:08 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
tawais (anonymous) says...
Ok, why is this the first I've heard about this???? Anyone with children in their lives should be furious about this. I stumbled upon this by accident just reading over stories. How often do we hear about a child being abducted on their way to school? Yes we may be teaching our children the right thing as far as running away and yelling "NO!!" but the determined predator will find a way to kidnap a child. It's wrong, this is the exact reason I drive my child to school every day. I walk her to the front door if there arent any teachers around. I trust NO ONE but myself when it comes to my daughter. Emporia Gazette, Put these stories on the front page in bold print!!! We have to protect our children!!!!!!!
November 13, 2009 at 9:46 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
garate5 (anonymous) says...
tawais I totally agree with you. I am very upset that the schools didnt not mention anything to parents. My child goes to Walnut which is around the area this man has been and we got no letters or anything from the school. Another parent called the school about this guy and was informed the school knows and so do the police but what about the parents?? Why were we not informed? Not everyone gets the paper or gets on here to read. Makes me very upset.
November 13, 2009 at 10:21 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
madpoet (anonymous) says...
KVOE did announce it on the radio yesterday afternoon. They had it in their news on the am station at least once an hour. I hope the pervert was scared off by all the attention. Extremely scary!
November 13, 2009 at 11:30 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
titan (anonymous) says...
ATTENTION PEOPLE: IF THIS TRUCK IS A WHITE TRUCK THAT HAS TOOL BOXES ON EACH SIDE AND GREENWOOD COUNTY TAGS THIS MAN IS AN UNCONVICTED CHILD MOLESTER. HE HAS MOLESTED 2 4YR OLDS AND AN 8 YR OLD. WE HAVE BEEN TRYING FOR A YEAR TO GET HIM PUT BEHIND BARS AND HJAVE BEEN UNSUCCESSFUL SO FAR.
November 13, 2009 at 3:12 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sickofliars (anonymous) says...
This is to "titan". What happened to innocent until proven guilty?
November 13, 2009 at 3:36 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
HenryVIII (anonymous) says...
Maybe his pet cat ran away and he was just out looking for it...
He said, "Heeeeeeere kitty, kitty, kitty!"
But the kids heard, "Heeeeeeere kiddie, kiddie, kiddie!"
Sorry to make light of the matter, but the story still seems weak on details to me.
'enry
November 13, 2009 at 3:48 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
RAZ101 (anonymous) says...
That is making light of the situation & I'm really bothered by your comments. I'm not sure what you expect, they were scared & did exactly what they were always told to do in this sort of situation. They weren't taught to stop & take notes, ask for a name & a phone number, write down his liscense plate & make, model of the vehicle....they responded & GOOD for them!!!!
November 13, 2009 at 4:11 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
titan (anonymous) says...
that is right the kids did do what they were taught good job kids. and for you "sickofliars" i guess if you were in the situation and it was your child maybe you would feel the same, or maybe you are another one of those sick individuals that live around this lovely town. believe what you want and think what you want but when it comes down to a four year old by the way two four yr olds i believe them especially since their stories were almost if not exactly the same.
as for the person who is trying to get the kids into their truck your time will come and you will get what you deserve.
November 13, 2009 at 6:05 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sickofliars (anonymous) says...
titan i am in the situation and of course the stories r the same because they were made up by the mothers.
November 13, 2009 at 6:44 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Bear (anonymous) says...
Too "Titan" are you trying to railroad that fellow from Greenwood county to Jail like your mother did your step
father on a bogus charge.
November 13, 2009 at 6:52 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sickofliars (anonymous) says...
Yes Bear she is!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
November 13, 2009 at 6:56 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sandman (anonymous) says...
Folks,
Believe they have picked-up a man concerning this. Yes, the children did WONDERFUL plus it sounds as if Emporia Law Enforcement did their job. Thank heavens it ended up as it has, hopefully. Never hurts to ALWAYS be on the "wartch" and to have the children doing the same. As it was said earlier, we live in a sad time but life is what it is so best to be prepared, young and old. Thank you, Emporia Law Enforcement!!!!
November 13, 2009 at 9:42 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
titan (anonymous) says...
to all of you who are "supposed" to be our family thank you for condoning this situation you all are real winners. as a matter of fact I am not real sure how we could have made this up as we were not even talking to each other when these incident happened. I am NOT going to bring myself to your level as I know what happened to my daughters and the other little girl and its a sad situation when you all try to cover it up like nothing ever happened. Some day hopefully real soon it will be ended and finally taken care of. and for you people who think he hasnt done anything wait and see and I wouldnt have suprised me at all if it were him in the white truck trying to pick up the boys he is a pervert like that.
November 14, 2009 at 10:28 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Bear (anonymous) says...
Titan, ask Darrell what it feels like to spend several years in prison for something he didn't do!!! Because someone lied just like you are. I was told you made the statement you could ruin a persons life if you wanted to, and you really are trying. I am not or ever have been part of your family!
November 14, 2009 at 6:26 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
and so goes the never-ending saga of the titan-sickofliars-Bear fued. I really don't mean to be "inconsiderate" but it sounds like someone could use some serious counseling.
And the great thing about America is if someone hates the "lovely" town they live in they can move and the check from the government will always follow them.
This article was about a presumed nut job/ pedophile, let's hope Sandman is right and they have someone picked up.
November 14, 2009 at 7:31 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sandman (anonymous) says...
Steve, I should have said "someone in custody" even tho I believe the paper said "picked-up", not sure about that, didn't reread. "Picked-up" just sounds like the police were riding around and looking for a good time!!! :-) Believe there was a
"chase" that occured also. Gee! I'm getting myself where I don't want to be.
November 15, 2009 at 11:10 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
sandman, don't know where you are reading this , I can't find anything on anyone being taken into custody. Please steer me in the right direction?
November 15, 2009 at 1:35 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
oh4theluvof (anonymous) says...
I think, sandman, that you may be confusing the story of the "parole absconder" with this story. http://www.emporiagazette.com/news/20...
While the areas have been the same, the person who was taken into custody was a person who didn't call his parole officer and then ran from police after the parole officer put out an alert for him to be picked up. He was identified (known). The man who appears to be trying to have contact with children is currently unidentified (unknown).
We are still to be on the look out around town (especially schools and parks) for the man in the white truck. I am so thankful that this weekend has not been a good play-at-the-park weekend with this man still out there.
November 15, 2009 at 1:53 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sandman (anonymous) says...
oh4theluvof, you are absolutely correct!! I thought they were one and the same, sorry. Thanks so much for correcting me.Also agree concerning this weekend and weather. Steve, you were also correct concerning the individual trying to pick-up children, one sick individual.
November 15, 2009 at 6:56 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
I'm glad we have this straight because now I can continue to keep an open eye. This man in the white pickup was seen just north of where I live so I'll be vigilant, especially after school lets out. You know, the bus lets kids off and they still have to walk a bit to get home. It's a good time for caring adults to be on patrol if they have the time. With everyone at work, neighborhood streets are often empty.
November 15, 2009 at 9:45 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )