Lakeport >> An unknown man has reportedly attempted to lure children into his car as they wait for the bus.
Police are searching for the suspect described as a black man in his mid 20s with a fade type hair style and driving a white, four-door compact type car with tan seats and clear windows.
On two occasions less than a week apart and around the same time, the man allegedly circled the bus stop in the 400 block of N. Forbes Street, surveyed the area and tried to attract young girls inside his vehicle, according to Lt. Jason Ferguson of the Lakeport Police Department (LPD).
While at the bus stop, an 11-year-old girl reported that on Oct. 16 at about 7:40 a.m. the suspect, wearing a white T-shirt, passed her driving and staring. He drove up the block and came back around, driving slowly and continuing to gaze at the child, Ferguson stated.
The suspect returned yet again. This time, he pulled his vehicle against the curb in front of her and told the girl to get inside the car.
After telling him no, the suspect reportedly demanded, “get into the car now.” But the girl’s 8-year-old brother told him to leave and he drove away.
She reported the incident Wednesday morning and by 5 p.m. investigators confirmed information from the mother of an 8-year-old girl with a similar story and an almost identical description of the suspect.
Tuesday at 7:53 a.m. she was at the same stop when the suspect pulled up and told her to get in the car and that it was OK to do so, Ferguson stated. However, when the bus came, the subject drove off.
She provided additional details of the man and said he had a chubby face, wore a dark green shirt and was holding a dark, shiny object in his hand, Ferguson said.
Authorities have contacted the Lakeport Unified School District to alert them of the suspicious circumstances.
Any persons with information leading to the possible identity of the male subject or the vehicle’s are asked to contact the LPD at (707) 263-5491.
