Stranger danger involving middle schoolers and van reported in Bloomfield Township
Bloomfield Township police search for man approaching middle schoolers
The male is described as white, 20-30 years old, and was wearing a backward baseball hat. The van, which can be seen in a pair of photos released by police, is an older Ford with rust spots, specifically on the grill. It appears to only have front driver and passenger windows.
FOX 2 (WJBK) - Bloomfield Township police are investigating a report of stranger danger incident from Feb. 14
Investigators say that a man inside a gray Ford van approached a pair of middle school students in the area of Peabody and Drive and Tall Oaks Road at 3:45 p.m. Wednesday.
The children were walking home from the bus stop there when the man pulled up next to the students and asked if they had a phone.
"The students did not feel comfortable, and ran home without engaging with the male," said police in a release.
They reported the incident to their parents, who contacted the police. Officers were dispatched to the area but could not find the van.
The male is described as white, 20-30 years old, and was wearing a backward baseball hat. The van, which can be seen in a pair of photos released by police, is an older Ford with rust spots, specifically on the grill. It appears to only have front driver and passenger windows.
Images of the van, courtesy of Bloomfield Township police.
The incident has caused residents in the area to worry.
"I’m glad that the kid got a weird feeling – that isn’t just a normal thing," said Sally Walker of Bloomfield Township. "Adults shouldn’t ask children for help."
Walker said she started teaching her son about stranger danger at a very young age.
"When they’re getting to 12-years-old, middle school, they don’t want to go in the store, they want to stay in the car," she said. "I lock him in and tell him, 'I don’t even care if police came to the window, tell them to come in the store and find me. You don’t open the door for anyone."
Police are asking the public to stay vigilant of their surroundings.
"Do not engage anyone that approaches you or your children inappropriately, and immediately call 911," according to police. "We ask parents to remind their children about stranger danger, and contact a trusted adult when something does not feel right."
Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact School Resource Officer Jennifer Lower at JLower@bloomfieldtwp.org or call the Bloomfield Township Police Department at 248-433-7755.