Police: suspects tried to lure children into vehicles

Someone tried to lure children into a vehicle in two instances in the last week, prompting police to increase patrols in northeast Charlotte.

The children in both cases were able to get away safely, but police have not made any arrests or identified a suspect. Charlotte-Mecklenburg policeo officers patrolled one section of the Hidden Valley community as children were being dropped off from school.

On Thursday, police say, a a man and a woman tried to lure a 10-year-old boy into their burgundy SUV, saying they had candy and were there to pick him up. The boy ran way and the people inside drove away. The incident happened in the 4700 block of Hidden Valley Road.

On Tuesday, a 16-year-old girl told police a man tried to lure her into his bright red Infiniti. When she wouldn’t come, the man tried to grab her. The teen was able to run away and the man fled. Police described him as a heavy set black man with yellowish skin and a chipped tooth. He is bald and approximately 45 years old.

Police encouraged anyone with information about the cases or the suspects to dial 911 or call Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600. Tipsters are eligible for a reward for information that leads to an arrest.

CMPD also offered these safety tips to parents:

▪ Instruct children to never take a ride from strangers, even if the person says that they are there to pick them up because their mom or dad sent them.

▪ Instruct children on how to contact the police department, fire department or an ambulance by dialing 911 and how to contact a known family member or responsible trustworthy adult should an emergency arise.

▪ Check your child's route to and from school. Call attention to any dangerous spots such as vacant lots, alleyways, etc. Advise them what to do if a strange person follows or approaches them.

▪ Instruct your child's school to notify you immediately if your child is absent. Inform the principal who is authorized to pick your child up from school. Try to have the same person pick your child up every day when possible.

▪ Choose a secret code word to use with your child in case of an emergency. Tell your child never to go with anyone who does not know this code word.

▪ Advise your child what to do if they feel lost. Help them to identify the safest place to go or person to ask for help in reuniting them with you or another caregiver. Examples of safe helpers could be a uniformed law-enforcement or security officer, a store salesperson with a nametag or a person with a nametag who is working at the information booth.

This story was originally published September 22, 2015 at 9:35 PM with the headline "Police: suspects tried to lure children into vehicles."