Manassas Police Seeking 2 Men Suspected Of Trying To Lure 4-Year-Old Away With Candy

MANASSAS, VA – Two men reportedly approached a 4-year-old girl in a park on Sunday and attempted to lure her away with candy, Manassas police say.

According to the Manassas City Police Department, they received a report at about 8:50 p.m. on Sunday that 2 males had approached a 4-year-old girl in Dean Park in Manassas’ Wellington neighborhood and tried to use an offer of candy to entice her to go with them. The child’s 6-year-old sister saw the encounter and began screaming for their mother, which caused both men to flee.

The children's mother was then helped by an off-duty Prince William County police officer she encountered near the park entrance.

The suspects were described as two males, one wearing all black and a full-face mask, the other wearing all white. Officers found a person matching the description of one of the suspects, but he fled on an electric bike, taking the Winter's Branch Trail. An officer’s body camera snapped a picture of this suspect. Police say the 2 males were present around the park’s soccer fields both before and after the reported incident.

Manassas police also commended the bravery of the 6-year-old girl in protecting her sister.

Manassas police are asking people in the Wellington area to review any camera footage they might have that could show the individuals entering or leaving the park. Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact Master Detective Speights at aspeights@manassasva.gov or (703) 257-8041.