Beware Of Suspect In Pink Bear Costume Following Children: Fredericksburg Police

FREDERICKSBURG, VA – Fredericksburg police are asking city residents to keep their eyes open and flag any suspicious activity after receiving a report on Thursday of a suspect wearing a pink bear costume and following children.

Fredericksburg police issued a statement on Monday explaining that they’d gotten a complaint that an individual in a pink costume was following children in the Lafayette Boulevard corridor.

"The Fredericksburg Police Department takes these incidents seriously and has increased patrols in the Lafayette Boulevard corridor. Residents are encouraged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to authorities immediately," police said.

This appears to be the original social media post about an encounter with this person. The poster says the person in the costume "stared down" her son and a neighbor, then chased 4 children getting off a bus.

Several other social media posts also claim to have encountered the suspect, some with photos and videos.

Patch has not independently confirmed these social media reports.

The Fredericksburg Police Department says the investigation is ongoing, and they want the public's help. Anyone who has seen or interacted with the suspect is urged to contact the Fredericksburg Police Department at (540) 373-3122. To make an anonymous tip, send a text to 847-411 and text "FPDtip" followed by your tip.