UPDATE:
Elizabethtown School District posted this letter to parents on the district site -
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Lancaster Bureau Police are looking for a person of interest in the attempted abduction.
The man in the surveillance photo was seen walking from the area near the attempted abduction. Police don't know what involvement the man has with the case. They think he may have witnessed the incident. Police want to get information from him that may help in the investigation.
Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact the Lancaster Bureau of Police at 717 735-3300, Det. Zook at 717-735-3317 or CrimeStoppers. Callers do not have to give their names to give information.
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A neighborhood in Lancaster City is on high alert after a young teenage girl was nearly abducted as she walked to school.
This is a very scary situation and the police, school and neighborhood are all working together to not only make sure this doesn’t happen again, but to find the person who did it.
It happened Monday morning around 8:00 a.m. A 13-year-old girl was walking down the 100 block of Nevin Street in Lancaster City when she says a man, out of nowhere, grabbed her.
From a block away, a Good Samaritan noticed the girl struggling and ran to her rescue. He was able to free the girl, who ran to Reynolds Middle School and immediately reported what happened.
“Sure it’s scary,” commented neighbor Jim Romanos. “Yeah.”
Jim Romanos has lived in the neighborhood for 45 years with his wife. He raised his kids and says the residents will do all they can to help.
“The neighbors stick together and keep a watch out on the neighborhood,” Romanos told us.
Since the attempted abduction, police have increased patrols in the area. They’ve also distributed flyers and are monitoring Safety Coalition Cameras.
They are not only trying to get a description of the suspect, but they are trying to find the man who helped the little girl.
“It’s bad you know what I mean,” Romanos stated. “Some things in the city are pretty bad.”
If you have any information about this attempted abduction you’re asked to call the Lancaster City Police. In the meantime, the school is reminding parents to talk to their kids about being aware of their surroundings and to always walk in groups.
Elizabethtown School District posted this letter to parents on the district site -
The safety of students and staff is our number one priority. As such, the Elizabethtown Area School District is sharing important information about an incident that occurred this morning in Elizabethtown Borough. A parent of a current middle school student reported to the Elizabethtown Borough Police Department that a white male, between the ages of 30-40 and driving a red Dodge RAM van, approached her son as he walked to school and offered him candy. The student said no and continued on his way. The van followed the child who, to his great credit, immediately left the area and returned home. When the child attempted to get to school a second time using a different route, the red Dodge RAM van reappeared. The student wisely returned home again. The initial incident happened on E. Willow Street walking toward Mount Joy Street.
In light of the above situation, the district would like to take this opportunity to remind parents and students to report suspicious activity to the police. Additionally, please review the following safety precautions with your children:
- Whenever feasible, children should walk in groups or pairs rather than alone when walking to and from school.
- If someone follows them on foot, children should get away as quickly as they can by going to someone's house they know or run toward other people.
- If a car pulls beside a child, the child should turn around and go in the opposite direction if they do not know the driver.
- Children should avoid shortcuts through empty parks, fields, or alleys.
- Children should be taught to recognize suspicious behavior and remember a description of the person or vehicle to give to the police.
- Children and parents should communicate about any after school plans.
The district encourages parents and guardians to reinforce these safety tips with their children and asks them to take the same precautions during non-school hours and on weekends. If you have additional questions about this correspondence, feel free to contact Troy Portser, Director of School and Community Information for the school district, at troy_portser@etownschools.
___________________________________________
Lancaster Bureau Police are looking for a person of interest in the attempted abduction.
The man in the surveillance photo was seen walking from the area near the attempted abduction. Police don't know what involvement the man has with the case. They think he may have witnessed the incident. Police want to get information from him that may help in the investigation.
Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact the Lancaster Bureau of Police at 717 735-3300, Det. Zook at 717-735-3317 or CrimeStoppers. Callers do not have to give their names to give information.
___________________________________________
A neighborhood in Lancaster City is on high alert after a young teenage girl was nearly abducted as she walked to school.
This is a very scary situation and the police, school and neighborhood are all working together to not only make sure this doesn’t happen again, but to find the person who did it.
It happened Monday morning around 8:00 a.m. A 13-year-old girl was walking down the 100 block of Nevin Street in Lancaster City when she says a man, out of nowhere, grabbed her.
From a block away, a Good Samaritan noticed the girl struggling and ran to her rescue. He was able to free the girl, who ran to Reynolds Middle School and immediately reported what happened.
“Sure it’s scary,” commented neighbor Jim Romanos. “Yeah.”
Jim Romanos has lived in the neighborhood for 45 years with his wife. He raised his kids and says the residents will do all they can to help.
“The neighbors stick together and keep a watch out on the neighborhood,” Romanos told us.
Since the attempted abduction, police have increased patrols in the area. They’ve also distributed flyers and are monitoring Safety Coalition Cameras.
They are not only trying to get a description of the suspect, but they are trying to find the man who helped the little girl.
“It’s bad you know what I mean,” Romanos stated. “Some things in the city are pretty bad.”
If you have any information about this attempted abduction you’re asked to call the Lancaster City Police. In the meantime, the school is reminding parents to talk to their kids about being aware of their surroundings and to always walk in groups.