West Chester Police Investigating Child Luring Report

WEST CHESTER, PA — Two boys ran home after a man tried to lure them into a white Ford Explorer while they played at a West Chester park on Saturday, police said this week.

West Chester Borough police report they are investigating an incident that happened at Hoopes Park, 700 Hoopes Park Lane, around 5:20 p.m. on Jan. 9.

Police said early the evening two children, 12 and 14 years old, were playing in Hoopes Park when they noticed a white sport utility vehicle sped into the parking lot. The vehicle parked near the boys, who were playing on park equipment.

The man driving the vehicle was alone, the report said, and the children did not know him.

The man opened the driver's side door and asked the children to get in the car, police said.

The man did not leave the vehicle and the two children did not approach the vehicle. Instead, they hurried home and told their parents what happened, police reported.

Police said the man was in a white Ford Explorer with no distinguishing features, though police said the description suggests it is a fifth-generation Ford Explorer, model year 2011-19. The vehicle left the area, driving onto Ashbridge Street from the park.

The only description the children could give of the man that he had a 'raspy' voice, police said.

Anyone with information is asked to call the West Chester Police Department at 610-696-2700.

The West Chester Police Department encourages any resident who witnesses any suspicious activity within West Chester Borough or in East Bradford Township to contact the West Chester Police Department at any time.