Child Enticement Incidents Spark Safety Awareness
On Thursday morning, September 2, 2010, at approx. 8:15AM, Cedar Park Police were summoned to Faubion Elementary school on a report of a possible child enticement. Officers spoke with school staff who told them that a group of 9‐year old students were walking to school in the 1200 block of Woodhollow Cove, when they were approached by a man who reportedly asked them if they wanted a ride. According to the students, the man then exited his vehicle and told them to get in the car. When the students started to run from the scene, the man sped away. The man was described only as an older white male with brown / grey hair, last seen driving a dark blue newer model Chrysler sedan with a damaged left front bumper and scratches down the drivers side of the car.
Cedar Park Police were summoned to a similar incident on Saturday, August 28, 2010, when at approx. 10:00AM, a man described only as a white male with “bushy reddish or dreadlocked hair,” reportedly approached a group of three 9‐year old boys riding their bikes in the 200 block of Buttercup Creek Blvd. The man reportedly offered the boys candy and asked them to get in his vehicle. The boys quickly sped away on their bikes and the man left the scene, last seen driving a black or blue colored mid‐sized car with damaged left rear bumper and rusty hood.
Cedar Park Police do not believe these cases are related, but are asking if the public has any information to please contact the Criminal Investigations Division, Detective Chris Dailey at 260‐4772. With school back in session, Cedar Park Police are encouraging parents to take this opportunity to discuss situational awareness and personal safety with their children.
Police respond to these situations as a high priority call. Unfortunately, there is often little information provided and available to share with the public, but these incidents should remind all of us to teach our children to be aware of their surroundings and to think of their own safety.
It is a balance between over‐alarming a child and allowing them the opportunity to experience childhood activities without fear. Attached are some general safety tips. Additional information can be found at www.missingkids.com, which is the website for the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, and at www.ncpc.org , the website for McGruff and the National Crime Prevention Council.