Sheriff's Office Warns of 'Possible Suspicious' Elderly Man Who Approached Boy

SAN CARLOS, CA – Sheriff's officials this week warned the public about a "possible suspicious circumstance" after a boy said he was repeatedly asked by an elderly man to get into his car.

"It is unknown whether the driver’s actions were legitimately intended to help or whether they were suspicious in nature," San Mateo Sheriff's Det. Salvador Zuno said in a news release.

According to Zuno, the incident happened Sunday around 3:30 p.m. as the 12-year-old boy was walking in front of Central Middle School, when a man pulled up in a vehicle asking if he wanted a ride.

"The juvenile told the driver that he did not need a ride however; the driver persisted until the juvenile said he would call the police," Zuno said. "The driver left the scene northbound on Cedar Street."

The boy spoke with his mother who called the sheriff's office to report the incident.

Sheriff's officials said the man was white, about 70 years old with gray and white medium length hair. He was driving a newer model, silver sedan.

"The Sheriff’s Office would like to remind parents to use this scenario as a teaching moment and talk to your children about these types of scenarios and how they should respond," Zuno said.