Stranger Alert At School Caused By Grandpa Looking For Child, Police Say

CROFTON, MD — A report of a strange man trying to lure students at an Anne Arundel elementary school to his vehicle turned out to be a misunderstanding, police said Tuesday.

The man is a grandfather who was looking for his grandchild Monday at a Crofton bus stop, and there was no threat to children, Anne Arundel County police said.

"The Anne Arundel County Police Department is thankful for the vigilance of the students and school staff, and the prompt reporting that allowed for a quick resolution," the agency said in a news release.

The possibility of a stranger approaching children prompted extra patrols at Crofton Elementary School during drop-off and pick-up periods.

• Related: Strange Man Tried To Lure Kids Into Car At Bus Stop, Police Say

The encounter happened between 8 and 8:20 a.m. Monday at the school, 1405 Duke of Kent Drive in Crofton, police said. Students from three magnet programs at two Annapolis-area middle schools were waiting for their bus when a man in a gray four-door sedan pulled up and asked them to get into his car.

According to police, when the students refused, the man got out of his vehicle and asked them again to get into the car, claiming he was taking them to school.

Because they didn't know the man, the students ran away, police said. The driver left, and the students were taken to their schools, where they told school officials of the encounter.

District officials reminded parents to discuss personal safety precautions with their children, especially when they are walking to school or waiting for a bus:

• Have your children walk in a group or with another person.
• Stress to your children to be aware of their surroundings.
• Urge your children not to take items of any kind from anyone they do not know.
• Develop a plan to help your children take appropriate action if a stranger approaches.
• Have your children report anything unusual or upsetting to them to a responsible adult (parent, guardian, school staff member, police officer, etc.) immediately.

Safety concerns can also be reported anonymously to the Safe Schools Maryland Tip Line at 833-MD-B-SAFE. That line is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.