For the second time in a week, a man drove up to a female student walking to school at Horace Mann Middle School and ordered a girl to get into his car, authorities say.
The suspect’s description in today’s attempted abduction of a sixth grader is similar to that of a man who tried to lure an 8th grade student into his car last Wednesday, Principal Linda Torres said today.
A man drove up to the 12-year-old girl walking at 43rd Avenue and Navajo Street this morning at 7:05 a.m. and ordered her to get into his car, said John White, Denver police spokesman. She was two blocks away from the school at the time.
“She refused, ran to school and notified the principal’s office,” White said.
The man was driving a blue SUV, which had black flames on the side, White said. The girl gave a good description of the suspect and recalled part of the suspect’s car license plate number, Torres said.
“She did very well,” she said. “It is always of concern when one of our children is approached in this manner.”
Last Wednesday at 8:35 a.m. a man approached the older girl. She too ran to the school and reported the incident, Torres said.
The girl was approached by a man driving an El Camino, White said.
The principal was planning on sending letters home with students to warn parents about the two incidents and give advice about how students should respond. (See below.)
Denver Public Schools spokeswoman Tanya Caughey said students should not walk alone and should immediately run when approached by a stranger. They should immediately tell an adult, she said.
School officials called Denver police, who are investigating the incident.
She said teachers will speak with students about how they should respond when they are approached by a stranger, she said.
Staff writer Kirk Mitchell can be reached at 303-820-1206 or kmitchell@denverpost.com.
Letter to parents from Horace Mann principal Linda Torres:
October 18, 2005
Dear Horace Mann Families:
It is a priority at Horace Mann Middle School to make sure you are aware of incidents that impact our community. This morning before school, a man attempted to lure a student into his car about a block away from our school. Thankfully, the student ran to safety and immediately reported the incident to an adult at our school. This is the second similar report within a week; both appear to involve the same suspect.
The suspect is described a White male in his mid forties with blond hair and a braided goatee. He drives a blue truck that has black flames (possibly a Cadillac Escalade) with two letters distinctly on the license plate a D and E.
We want to let you know about this should you notice suspicious vehicles or individuals in your neighborhood. Police are investigating the incident. If you have any information, please contact the Denver Police Department at 720-913-STOP (7867).
Safety is a top priority in Denver Public Schools and at Horace Mann Middle School. Please be assured that the Horace Mann staff will continue routines and vigilance throughout each day to ensure the safety of your child. Additionally, we have requested extra patrol support after school from both DPS Security and the Denver Police Department.
I encourage you to take this chance to talk with your child about contacting an adult immediately if they ever feel unsafe, confirming before- and after-school arrangements together and showing your child how to dial 911 from a public phone if he or she ever feels unsafe.
Here are additional safety tips:
Teach your children to use the buddy system.
Know where they are at all times. Establish good communication with children to ensure they readily will report to you any unusual occurrences.
If they are approached by strangers, they should take several steps backward, stay out of arm’s reach and run to a safe area. If they are confronted, they should be taught to scream “I’m not your child” or “You’re not my parent.” Many times children forget to scream.
Make sure children learn to identify safe people such as policemen and firemen. Show them where safe homes or buildings are in case they need to run to them. Identify which neighbors are available to help when you are not at home. In an emergency situation, children should run to the nearest house for assistance. They should avoid alleys and empty lots, houses or garages.
Parents and children should establish a password known only to the immediate family. Children should be told not to go with an unfamiliar person without using the password.
Parents should notify both the school and the police if an incident occurs anywhere or anytime.
As always, feel free to contact us with any questions or concerns. Thank you for your support in keeping our students safe.
Sincerely,
Linda Torres
