Crime & Safety
Police Investigate Incident at Lyles-Crouch Elementary School
An unknown man lifted a 6-year-old student over a playground fence to retrieve a ball, police said.
The Alexandria Police Department is investigating an incident that occurred earlier today involving a student, 6, at Lyles-Crouch Elementary, 530 S. Saint Asaph Street.
At approximately 10:15 a.m., the boy went to the edge of a fenced playground to retrieve a ball on the other side, according to police.
Police say the student was approached by an unknown man who lifted him over the playground fence to retrieve the ball.
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A teacher saw the child being picked up and challenged the stranger, at which point the man escorted the student to a fence opening to re-enter the playground, according to police.
The unknown man then left the area, police said. At no time did the unknown man attempt to leave the area with the child, police noted.
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Police describe the man as a black male in his 60s, 6’0” tall, wearing a beige and green shirt and khakis.
The Criminal Investigations Section is continuing to investigate this incident. Anyone with any information is asked to call Detective Alma Zepeda at 703.746.1961.
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