Man Suspected Of Child Luring Attempt Caught On Camera

OCEANSIDE, CA – Police are seeking the public's help in identifying a man who snatched a girl's cellphone to try to lure her to his car.

Surveillance footage shows the suspect following behind the juvenile and her mother on Sept. 6 as they shopped at an undisclosed store, Oceanside police spokesman Tom Bussey said. At some point while following the mother and daughter, the man took the girl's phone from their shopping cart.

"Shortly after the girl and her mom reported the lost phone to security, the male started conversing with the juvenile and stated he had her phone in his vehicle," Bussey said. "The male was possibly attempting to lure the juvenile to his vehicle to retrieve the phone."

The man's vehicle was described as a while hatchback, possibly a Hyundai Elantra GT, Bussey said.

Anyone with information about the suspect's identity or whereabouts was asked to contact Oceanside police Detective Rob Nevares at 760-435-4749.

City News Service and Kristina Houck/Patch contributed to this report.

Photos via Oceanside Police Department