Suspicious Stranger Offers Boys Ride To School In Stafford: SCSO

STAFFORD, VA—Police are looking for a suspicious man who repeatedly tried to coax three boys into his car Thursday morning, April 4, at the intersection of Hartwood Road and Reserve Way, according to the Stafford County Sheriff's Office. He's described as black, in his 30s or 40s and with a gray beard. He was driving "a beat-up" four-door sedan.

Police found that around 7:15 a.m., three middle-school-aged boys reportedly were waiting at their bus stop at the aforementioned location when a man drove by, laughing and smiling at them. A few moments later, he returned and stopped in front of the bus stop. He rolled down his window and asked the boys if they had missed the bus, and then told them to get in his car and he'd drive them to school.

The boys refused and began walking home, after which the man again asked them to get in his car, telling them not to be scared. He then got out of his car, but the bus began to approach and he got back in his vehicle and "sped off."

The boys told their parents about the incident later that day, after which authorities were contacted. Police increased patrols in the area Friday morning and will continue to have a heightened presence at bus stops. Anyone with information regarding this incident or similar incidents is urged to immediately call the SCSO at 540-658-4400.