Schools Warn Parents About Suspicious Men Approaching Girls
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Wayne County Sheriff Barry Virts says around 6:20 p.m. Monday, a man sitting in his car on Mill Street in Marion asked a girl if she wanted a ride. When she said no, deputies say the man grabbed her wrist and told her to get into his vehicle.
The girl told authorities she freed herself, ran home and told her parents.
"On two occasions, deputies interviewed the victim. She described the suspect to be wearing a black hoodie and ripped jeans. No other description of the suspect of vehicle was reported,” said Virts.
Debbie Saunders, who lives and works near Mill Street, was surprised when she heard the news.
"It's pretty scary, especially in an area like this, hearing something like that happening,” said Saunders. “The elementary school is right here in town."
In Ontario, State Police are investigating a similar incident. Wayne Central School District leaders say a female student was walking on Ridge Road on Tuesday when she noticed a car traveling slowly near her.
Police said the girl walked into the Ontario Public Library parking lot. The car followed and parked. The girl told authorities the middle-aged driver called out to her, asked her for help and the time. She ran away.
State Police say the description of this suspect and the details of what happened do not match those in Marion.
Police in Greece say that Wednesday, around 7 p.m., a 16-year-old girl said a man pulled up to her in the parking lot of the Rite Aid Pharmacy on Ridge Road and asked her to get into his vehicle. She says when she pulled out her cell phone, the man drove away. She described the suspect as a white man, around 40-50 years old, with graying hair. He was driving a four-door silver sedan.
Virts says at this point it does not appear the incidents are connected, but he reminds parents that this might be a good time to talk to kids about the danger of talking to strangers.
"The message to parents is make sure they talk to their children, not to talk to strangers, not to go up to strange vehicles, don't go near people they're not familiar with. And if there's any incident with strangers, strange vehicles, that they have their children discuss that with them and parents immediately call the 911 center so we can send the closest car to investigate and then determine what has occurred," said Virts.
Virts says they have stepped up patrols in the areas, and are working to update school districts and school security on the investigation.
They're asking anyone with information about these incidents to call police, and again asking anyone who encounters something similar to come forward to their parents, school leaders and police.*