Possible After School Kidnapping Attempt Investigated By Berkeley Police: School District

BERKELEY, CA — The Berkeley Police Department is investigating a possible attempted kidnapping of an elementary school student after school Monday afternoon, the Berkeley Unified School District said in an alert to parents and other caregiver.

The student is safe and unharmed.

According to the district, it involved a Ruth Acty Elementary School student.

"The suspect was in a white van or SUV and approached the student while they were walking on Rose Street and asked the student if they wanted to get into their vehicle," the district said in its advisory. "The student did not get in the vehicle and instead ran home. At this time, this is an active BPD investigation."

School staff are on alert to call 911 if they witness any incident that appears to put a student at risk.

"The Berkeley Police Department advises that if a student believes someone may be following them, they should immediately start heading toward the nearest crowded place and call 911 for help."

The school district also offered these safety tips for students walking to and from school:

• Stay with a group whenever possible. Always walk with at least one friend, two or three is even better.
• If a stranger offers you a ride, say “NO!” and stay far away from their car.
• If a stranger follows you on foot, get away from them as quickly as you can. You can run and yell loudly, “HELP!”
• If a stranger follows you in a car, turn around and go in the other direction.
• Never leave school with a stranger.
• Tell a trusted adult if a stranger is hanging around the school, playground, or other public areas populated by young people, including restrooms.
• Never accept things from a stranger when walking to or from school.
• If a stranger asks you a question, don’t talk to them. Run away.

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