Crime & Safety
Young Girl Leaving School Offered Ride By Stranger In Lafayette
It happened as the child left elementary school on Tuesday. Your home surveillance camera could help police.
LAMORINDA, CA — A young child was offered a ride by someone she didn't know shortly after school on Tuesday, according to the Lafayette Police Department. She was not harmed in any way, but the police department is gathering surveillance video from nearby homes as they investigate the case.
The incident happened when the child was walking on Rohrer Drive from Burton Valley Elementary School to an after-school event at the Rancho Colorado Swim and Tennis Club. Police said in a social media post,"The driver only slightly lowered the tinted window when talking to the student." He is described as an adult male with short brown spiky hair. The vehicle is a black SUV, possibly a Dodge, with front window tint.
Police say the child yelled, "No!" to the man "and ran up the sidewalk to a mother who was walking with two other children."
Find out what's happening in Lamorindafor free with the latest updates from Patch.
If you have surveillance cameras at your home, police are asking you to check the video from approximately 2:30 to 3 p.m. on Tuesday, April 23. If you see the vehicle in question or anything suspicious, email Lafayette PD at 94549tip@gmail.com or call Police Dispatch at (925) 284-5010.
Police would also like to talk with the woman with the two kids that the student ran up to. Police say, "The student, a young girl, did not talk to the woman, but just caught up and walked near them on Rohrer Drive between 2:42 and 2:54 p.m. If you are this person, please email our tip line at 94549tip@gmail.com and a detective will contact you."
Find out what's happening in Lamorindafor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Meanwhile, police have increased patrols in the area, especially during the morning school start and afternoon release times.
Police conclude, "We are proud of the student as they did everything right in this incident by running away and immediately notifying a trusted adult. We encourage parents to continue talking to their kids about safety and being aware of their surroundings."
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