Registered Sex Offender Approached Girl, 10, In New London: Police

NEW LONDON, CT — A registered sex offender has been taken into custody after he approached a 10-year-old girl and asked her if she would like a ride in his vehicle Thursday morning in New London, according to police.

Police received a report around 5:40 p.m. about a suspicious person approaching the girl in the area of Williams Street and Lincoln Avenue.

The incident happened around 8 a.m. when the man stopped the vehicle and asked the victim for directions and made a comment about her looks, according to police.

Police said the man then asked if she would like a ride and the victim refused and tried to take a photo of the vehicle, but it drove away.

Officers found a camera in the area and were able to obtain surveillance video of the incident, police said. They were able to determine a make and model of the suspect vehicle.

Police said officers were assigned to patrol the area on Friday morning around the same time of the reported incident and saw a vehicle fitting the description.

A check of the registration found that the registered owner of the vehicle was a registered sexual offender and currently on parole, police said.

“Officers conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle and confirmed that the operator was the registered owner of the vehicle,” police wrote in a post on Facebook. “The male subject was remanded into custody. The investigation remains ACTIVE.”

Police didn’t immediately release the suspect’s name.

“Keeping our children safe and out of harm’s way is one of our most important duties,” police wrote on Facebook. “It is our responsibility, collectively, to safeguard our children and to teach them skills to be safe. Teach our children that adults should not approach children for help or directions. Tell our children that if they are approached by an adult, they should stay alert.

“Reinforce with our children that If anyone approaches them while going to or from school, get away from that person, and TELL a trusted adult as soon as it’s possible and safe to do so.

“Open and frequent communication about safety with our children and important and essential.”