Police: 2 Incidents of Young People Being Contacted on the Street Unrelated

Although two incidents of men driving along Bel Air streets who made contact with young people were reported last week in the Bel Air area, police do not believe the incidents are related.

"There’s nothing to indicate that there’s any kind of pattern out there," Lt. Carl Brooks of the said Monday. "There’s no indication that there is any organized group or person trying to abduct children."

Before 6:57 a.m., on Friday, a 16-year-old girl was walking to her bus stop near Estates Court in Bel Air, when two men in a white van stopped and asked if she needed a ride, Brooks said.

The girl ignored the request and walked away. Her parents later contacted police.

Three patrol cars responded to the call, but the van was already gone, according to Brooks.

"I would not characterize it as an attempted abduction," Brooks said.

Brooks said the sheriff's office is not investigating any other situation involving a white van, but said an unrelated incident involving a red car occurred the previous day.

Around 3:25 p.m., Thursday, a man in a red, four-door car called, "Hey" to a boy walking along Schucks Road, according to Brooks.

The boy walked away and the car left the area. The boy's parents reported the incident the following day.

"In neither case were the children approached; in neither case were the children harmed," Brooks said.

Brooks said in both instances, the suspicious vehicles were gone by the time police arrived.

Brooks recommended parents employ common sense, walk children to bus stops and report suspicious activity. Young people should also remember to walk in groups.

"It's always better to be safe than sorry," Brooks said.