Perth County OPP are issuing a warning to youth and parents after an unknown man offered a teenage girl a ride to school.
The girl was walking alone on Nelson St. near Victoria St. about 8:20am Friday morning, when she was approached by a man in a car who said her father had called him to give her a ride, so she wouldn't be late for school. She refused, and kept walking, but saw the same vehicle pass her several times.
The OPP were called by a concerned parent in Mitchell Friday afternoon.
The man is described as Caucasian, about 35 years old, with black curly, poufy hair, and wrap around sunglasses. He was driving an older model four door black car with a silver stripe and tinted windows.
The Perth County OPP requests the public assistance in identifying the man and the vehicle involved in this incident. Anyone with information is requested to contact the Perth County OPP at 1-888-310-1122. Should you wish to remain anonymous, you may call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), and you may be eligible to receive a cash reward of up to $2,000.
The Perth County OPP is reminding communities about “stranger safety.” It is very important to teach our children how to react if someone tries to take them or lure them into a vehicle.
Education is the key and there are several discussions parents can have with their children regarding stranger awareness. One key element is to reinforce that children should never accept rides from strangers.
One common tactic of child abductors is to lure children into a car using a fake story, such as telling kids they were sent by their parents who have been hurt in an accident. By establishing a “secret code word” system with children, parents can better protect their loved ones.
