09/24/2024
On Monday, September 23rd, 2024, just before 3:00 pm, a concerned citizen reported a man in a red Toyota sedan attempted to take a 12-year-old child as they walked home from a school bus stop. Deputies responded with emergency lights and sirens to the area.
The reporting citizen informed Sheriff’s deputies that three bystanders detained the man inside his vehicle by parking their cars around him; trapping his vehicle until deputies arrived.
Deputies conducted an initial investigation and also called in detectives to assist with in-depth and extensive follow-up techniques. The man was detained and cooperated with all aspects of the sheriff’s detective’s investigation; including but not limited to, detailed statements confirmed by electronic information and video evidence.
After an in-depth investigation by deputies and detectives, no criminal elements or intent were established. Based on the facts of this investigation, this appears to be an isolated incident with no immediate danger to the public. Detectives will be completing an informational report on this incident.
We want to emphasize the safety of our children continues to be a shared responsibility. Continue to educate your children about avoiding strangers and personal safety. We are grateful for concerned citizens who contributed to protecting this child by swiftly reporting to our office and being reliable witnesses to the events.
We encourage our community to be mindful that unless a child is displaying signs of distress “needing help,” or medical attention, the best course of action is to allow children to carry on with their daily routines without interruptions.
Offering children you don’t know rides, or unwarranted assistance, causes concern for the safety of our children and is commonly not well-received in our community.
We will be following up with our school districts to ensure the highest level of awareness is achieved.
