Marion County Sheriff's Deputies and school officials in Sublimity are on alert for a possible child predator who attempted to coerce several children into his car, Thursday morning.
Sr. Deputy Chris Bangs responded to Sublimity Elementary School to investigate the report from the school.
School officials told him at approximately 11:45am, a man driving a 1990's dark green Toyota Camry approached several school kids who were playing in the school's fenced play yard to the rear of the school. The man was parked on Starr Road and remained in his car. He did not come onto the school grounds or directly approach the children. He did attempt to coach them to his car by showing them a blue & white colored soccer ball and asking it if belonged to them. He held the ball outside his car window. They tried to ignore him and walk away, but he continued to back his car along the road to stay near them as he encouraged them to come to his car.
A teaching Assistant monitoring the play yard spotted the man. She felt he was suspicious and began walking toward the car. When he realized he'd been observed by an adult, he quickly sped off westbound on Starr Road.
The man was described as wearing a dark colored baseball hat. The children could see salt & pepper colored hair under the hat. He had a beard of the same color, and was wearing glasses. They were unable to provide an age or the race of the man. No license plate was obtained and no unusual identifying marks were seen on the car. An Internet photo of a similar mid-90's Toyota is attached to this release.
Sublimity School Principal Missy Riesterer personally notified the parents of each of the children involved and a notice was sent out to all parents of the school. The school will increase security, and have partitioned the play yard to restrict access from the road where the suspect approached the children. Children will be given additional briefings on personal safety and will be reminded what to do in situations like this one.
Any media questions about the school's handling of the incident should be directed to Safety and Security Director Gary Rychard, 503.932.0338, or Gary.Rychard@nsantiam.k12.or.us. Please refrain from coming onto the school grounds or attempting to interview students or other staff members without prior permission from Mr. Rychart.
Sr. Deputy Bangs will also be increasing his patrols around the school. If you have information about this incident, please contact Deputy Bangs at 503.932.3244 or Cbangs@co.marion.or.us .
Sr. Deputy Chris Bangs responded to Sublimity Elementary School to investigate the report from the school.
School officials told him at approximately 11:45am, a man driving a 1990's dark green Toyota Camry approached several school kids who were playing in the school's fenced play yard to the rear of the school. The man was parked on Starr Road and remained in his car. He did not come onto the school grounds or directly approach the children. He did attempt to coach them to his car by showing them a blue & white colored soccer ball and asking it if belonged to them. He held the ball outside his car window. They tried to ignore him and walk away, but he continued to back his car along the road to stay near them as he encouraged them to come to his car.
A teaching Assistant monitoring the play yard spotted the man. She felt he was suspicious and began walking toward the car. When he realized he'd been observed by an adult, he quickly sped off westbound on Starr Road.
The man was described as wearing a dark colored baseball hat. The children could see salt & pepper colored hair under the hat. He had a beard of the same color, and was wearing glasses. They were unable to provide an age or the race of the man. No license plate was obtained and no unusual identifying marks were seen on the car. An Internet photo of a similar mid-90's Toyota is attached to this release.
Sublimity School Principal Missy Riesterer personally notified the parents of each of the children involved and a notice was sent out to all parents of the school. The school will increase security, and have partitioned the play yard to restrict access from the road where the suspect approached the children. Children will be given additional briefings on personal safety and will be reminded what to do in situations like this one.
Any media questions about the school's handling of the incident should be directed to Safety and Security Director Gary Rychard, 503.932.0338, or Gary.Rychard@nsantiam.k12.or.us. Please refrain from coming onto the school grounds or attempting to interview students or other staff members without prior permission from Mr. Rychart.
Sr. Deputy Bangs will also be increasing his patrols around the school. If you have information about this incident, please contact Deputy Bangs at 503.932.3244 or Cbangs@co.marion.or.us .