Stranger Danger! Portland Police Warn Of Men Luring Girls

Portland Police are warning residents of Northeast Portland to be on the lookout for a man trying to lure young girls into his car. Police report there were two incidents on Sunday. Both times, the girls were unharmed.

Around 2:30, officers had responded to Khunamowkst Park on the 5200 block of Northeast Alberta Street. Officers were told a man had offered two young girls money to get into his car.

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The officers interviewed the girls at the home of one of them.

They told officers that they had been walking home from the park - they were on Alberta Court - when they notied a man driving behind them. They said he waved money and asked them to get in his car.

They ran home and told one of their mothers, who called police.

The girls described the man as a black male, 34 years old, medium brown skin, beard, heavy set, wearing black clothing and smelling of marijuana. The girls described the vehicle as an older, beat up, dirty silver car missing lights on the rear, no license plates, and driver's side door damage.

While they were investigating, they received a report that nine-year-old girl in the area had been approached by a man waving money from his car, asking her to get inside the vehicle.

That incident happened near a church at Northeast 56th Avenue and Alberta Street.

The girl described the man as a black male in his 20s, thin build, short curly hair, wearing a baseball cap. The car was described as an old white car, with plastic tape over a back window.

Meanwhile, a fourth person, a 55-year-old woman, was approached in a similar fashion as she walked her grandchildren home. The woman told police that the man waved money out the window as he licked his lips. She described the suspect vehicle as an older gray Honda.

Portland Police say that while all three incidents happened in the same area and were similar, it's not clear that all involved the same person.

They say that anyone witnessing a luring-type incident is asked to immediately call 9-1-1 and provide as much information as possible. If any residents in the area of this incident have residential surveillance cameras, investigators are asking them to check recordings for any possible images of the suspect.

The Portland Police Bureau would like to remind parents to talk to their children about "stranger danger" to keep them safe.

Some excellent tips from the National Crime Prevention Council about stranger danger are available at https://www.ncpc.org/topics/violent-crime-and-personal-safety/strangers

The Portland Police Bureau Strength programs provide free self-defense classes and personal safety workshops to people around the Portland area.

To learn more information about Strength Programs, call 503-823-0260 or visit http://www.portlandonline.com/police/womenstrength

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Photo Colin Miner