Stranger Danger: Child Offered Toys, Ride Home In White Van

TIGARD, OR — A strange man in a white van offered a ride and some toys to a child walking home from school Wednesday, according to Tigard police. The child instead ran to a safe location and was not harmed.

The child was reportedly walking home along Southwest Katherine Street, near Southwest 125th Avenue and Mary Woodward Elementary School, when a white work-type van with tinted windows approached.

"Tigard Police would like to take this opportunity to remind parents the importance of speaking to their children regarding safety," police spokesman Jim Wolf said in a statement. "Children should be encouraged to be alert and to know what steps to take in the event they find themselves in a situation that could be uncomfortable or possibly harmful."

The child told police the man was white, likely in his 30s, with a short, salt and pepper-colored beard. The van reportedly appeared to have a tarp covering the rear windows, a dent on its rear bumper, and an Oregon license plate with the tree emblem.

"The student acted on solid instincts and remained observant," Wolf said. "Encourage your children to be aware of their surroundings, avoid being alone if possible, and know what to do if they are approached or become targets of unwanted contact."

Anyone who believes they may have seen a similar vehicle in the Tigard area or Mary Woodward neighborhood is encouraged to call Tigard police at 503-718-2677, or email tips@tigard-or.gov.

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