Crime & Safety

Suspicious Van Reported Near Bus Stop Deemed A 'Misunderstanding'

Prince William County police concluded their investigation into a suspicious van that was reported near a Woodbridge bus stop last week.

WOODBRIDGE, VA — Prince William County police identified and located the driver of a van reported to have driven by a Woodbridge school bus stop multiple times last week while allegedly making inappropriate comments to female students. However, police deemed the incident a misunderstanding, according to a report, and no criminal charges will be filed against the driver.

According to police, the driver was located by a school resource officer at Rippon Middle School in Woodbridge after receiving multiple complaints from female students, who said they saw a tan van with dark tinted windows driving slowly near the school bus stop at Broker Lane and Bronco Way. The officer was also told the driver of the van would slow down and make inappropriate comments to girls waiting at the bus stop.

Upon investigation, the suspect told police he stopped to speak to the girls due to safety concerns about them standing in the roadway. According to police, the encounter "included comments that led to a misunderstanding."

Find out what's happening in Woodbridgefor free with the latest updates from Patch.

A previous police report said the man was seen in the van between 7:30 and 7:50 a.m. on multiple mornings last week. Each time, he left the area without stopping. At no point were the students threatened and no physical contact was made, police said.

RELATED:

Find out what's happening in Woodbridgefor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.