crimes against children

The Arlington County Police Department is sounding the alarm about a number of suspicious incidents involving children and a lecherous man in a car.

The four incidents date back to April 7. Two incidents in April involved a man who tried to lure children to his home and then his truck. Two incidents in May involved a suspicious man in a vehicle — first a pickup truck, then a different type of vehicle — who drove by and ogled children who were walking home from school.

It’s unclear if the same suspect was involved in all four cases.

“The Arlington County Police Department is actively investigating these incidents,” ACPD said in a press release this afternoon. “Officers will continue conducting extra checks in the area of these incidents and there will be additional police presence during school dismissals.”

Both May incidents were reported to the police department well after they occurred, said ACPD spokeswoman Ashley Savage. Police are asking members of the public to report such occurrences as soon as possible.

“If anyone has information on the identity of the suspect(s) or the vehicle(s), please contact the Arlington County Police Department at 703.558.2222 or Detective Saundra Lafley at 703-228-4052,” said the press release. “Detective Lafley can also be reached by email at [email protected]. To report information anonymously, contact the Arlington County Crime Solvers at 866.411.TIPS (8477).”

The full description of the incidents from ACPD is below.

At approximately 4:30 p.m. on April 7, an unknown male subject approached two children, a male and female, in the 5200 block of 8th Road S. and enticed them to accompany him home. The children refused. The subject then left the area in a dark colored, black or blue, pick-up truck. The female juvenile has noticed the unknown male subject watching her on three separate occasions. The suspect is described as a Hispanic male in his thirties, approximately 5’6″ tall and weighed 160 lbs. He was wearing a black North Face sweater and blue jeans.

At approximately 7:00 p.m. on April 19, an unknown male attempted to entice several children into his vehicle in the 5200 block of 30th Street N. The vehicle is described as an older model, navy blue pick-up truck with several dents and scratches. It was reported that the truck had a ladder on top of it and numerous tools in the bed. The suspect is described as a Hispanic male, approximately 40-50 years old, with medium length hair and was wearing a blue tattered tank top.

At approximately 3:25 p.m. on May 23, two female juveniles were walking in the 200 block of N. Park Drive when a dark blue pickup truck drove beside them as they were walking. The juvenile victims caught up to another pedestrian in the area and the vehicle drove off. The suspect did not speak to the victims. The suspect is described as a Hispanic male with light complexion and black hair.

At approximately 3:30 p.m. on May 25, a female juvenile victim was walking in the 1300 block of N. Stafford Street when a vehicle passed her traveling in the same direction. The vehicle slowed and appeared to be waiting for her. The juvenile victim turned around and walked in the opposite direction. The juvenile victim reported seeing the vehicle in the area on two additional occasions. On one occasion, the driver sounded his horn to gain the attention of the female victim and her friends. On another occasion, the vehicle was parked and the driver appeared to be watching her. The male subject is described as a heavy set Hispanic, Middle Eastern or Italian male, possibly in his 50’s with thinning black hair, big lips and small rimmed sunglasses. He was driving a newer model light blue, dark blue or black model sedan.