Local police are investigating two latest reports involving a stranger attempting to lure children into his vehicle.
According to College Station police, both cases saw a man with scruffy facial hair, driving a light-colored, four-door vehicle. In these two cases, the child was able to get home unharmed.
Police say the first incident took place in Bryan on May 11 between 1:30 pm and 2:30 pm. A man attempted to lure a child into a white, four-door vehicle near the intersection of Brook Lane and Eagle Pass Street.
Then other one took place on May 14, investigators say a man attempted to lure a child into his vehicle in College Station. It took place between 3:30 and 4:30 pm near the intersection of Gilchrist and Ashburn Avenues.
Police stated that a man was between 30 and 40 years old with gray hair was involved in both incidents. He was said to be using a silver/gray, four-door vehicle.
According to police, no crime has been committed but they are taking the issue seriously. They provided the following tips for speaking with your children about strangers and safety.
They say the children must know:
- Never accept candy or gifts from a stranger.
- Never go anywhere with anybody without permission from parent. Predators can lure kids with questions such as “Can you help me find my lost puppy?” or “Do you want to see some cute kittens in my car?” Remind your kids that adults they don’t know must never ask them to help or to do things for them.
- Run away and scream if someone follows them or attempts to force them into a car.
- Say no to anyone who attempts to make them do something you’ve told is wrong or touch them in a way that makes them feel uncomfortable.
- Always tell you or another trusted adult if a stranger asks personal questions, exposes themselves, or otherwise makes them feel uncomfortable. Reassure kids that it’s fine to tell you even if the person made them promise not to or threatened them in some way.
- Always ask permission from a parent to leave the house, yard, or play area or to go to someone’s residence.
The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children has discovered that 83% of children who escaped their would-be abductors had done something proactive. They walked/ran away, yelled, kicked, or pulled away. This means the best thing a child can do if someone attempts to abduct them is take action in place of being passive or polite.
There are some more tips to keep in mind:
- Make sure small kids know their names, address, phone number including area code, and who to call when there is emergency. Review how to use 911 or a regional emergency number. Discuss what to do if they get lost in a public place or store — most places have emergency procedures for helping with lost kids. Remind them that they should never go to the parking lot to search for you. Tell kids how to ask a cashier for help or stand near the registers or front of the building away from the doors.
- Point out the homes of friends around the neighborhood where your kids can go in case of trouble.
- Make sure your kids know whose cars they may ride in and whose they may not. Teach them to move away from any vehicle that pulls up beside them and is driven by a stranger, even if that person seems lost or confused. Develop code words for caregivers other than mother or father, and remind your kids never to tell anyone the code word. Teach them not to ride with anyone they don’t know or with anyone who don’t know the code word.
- If your kids are old enough to stay home alone, make sure they keep the door locked and never tell anyone who knocks or calls they are home alone.
