LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX 18) – Police are increasing patrols after reports that a man tried to lure a Jessie Clark student into his vehicle.
The incident occurred Monday morning on Millpond near Mossbridge Way.
Police say that a man in a low-riding red truck with a like-colored camper pulled up next to a child who was walking to school.
The student told police that a man, who was wearing a hoodie with the hood pulled up, opened his passenger side door and told him to get in the vehicle.
The student refused and ran home. They were not able to get the race or a better description of the suspect.
Police have increased patrol in the area. The case has been referred to Special Victims.
The school sent a letter to parents yesterday:
Dear Jessie Clark Middle School Families:
We are writing today to let you know about an incident that happened this morning in one of the neighborhoods our school serves and to ask you to talk with your children about being safe while walking to and from school or school bus stops.
We have received a report from a parent that a man driving a lowered red truck with a like-colored camper top stopped in the area of Millpond Road and Winthrop Drive, opened the passenger side door, and told one of our students to “get in” his truck. The student ran back home and reported the incident to his father who then alerted the school.
We immediately contacted both the Lexington and Fayette County Public Schools police departments and officers were dispatched to Jessie Clark. A full report was taken about the incident and officers will increase patrols in the area.
This provides an excellent opportunity to reinforce with our students how important it is for them to be aware of their surroundings and to be cautious around strangers. Students who walk to school or the bus stop are encouraged to stay in pairs or groups, avoid darkened areas and use main
streets instead of shortcuts.
Please talk with your children and remind them to never approach a car that they do not do know and to contact an adult as soon as possible if there is a situation of any type that has made them feel threatened or uneasy. If possible, license plate information is a good detail to give police, but children should never put themselves in harm’s way to gather information and should focus on getting to a safe place. Please do not hesitate to reach out to us here at Jessie Clark if you have any concerns.
Respectfully,
Jimmy Bentine
Associate Principal
