Thursday, Jan. 19 2012 7:42PM
BREAKING NEWS: Police end ‘stranger danger’ investigation, say reported facts were ‘false’
By Rob Roberts, rroberts@lsjournal.com
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ReprintIn a cryptically worded press release, the Lee’s Summit Police Department reported Thursday evening that it is no longer seeking a suspect who reportedly attempted to pick up a student walking to Lee’s Summit Elementary School Wednesday morning.
The release came after the Journal's print edition had gone to press.
“The follow-up investigation into this incident has been completed,” the release stated. “After a thorough neighborhood canvas of the incident location, witnesses were located that offered additional information about the incident. The investigation has revealed that the facts reported to Police were false. The Lee’s Summit Police Department is no longer seeking the suspect and vehicle.”
In a written statement to the media preceding the release, Sgt. Chris Depue, the department’s public information officer, stated that the department would have no further comment on the case at this time but that “as a precaution, uniform patrol presence in the area will remain high for the next 2-3 days during arrival and dismissal time frames.”
On Wednesday, police had reported that, at about 8:15 a.m. that day, a fifth-grader was approached near Grand and Wilson streets by a man driving a light blue or gray four-door sedan, possibly a Chrysler.
The driver, described as a thin black man in his mid-20s with cornrow braids and wearing a green-and-black-striped hooded sweatshirt and black jeans, reportedly told the student he had received a call from the student’s mother, asking him to give the student a ride to school.
The student, turning down the offer, continued walking toward Lee’s Summit Elementary, police said, but the motorist continued to follow alongside until the student began running the rest of the way to school.
The student subsequently reported the incident to the school staff, which immediately notified the Lee’s Summit Police Department. Police officials then began investigating the report and directed extra patrols to the area in search of the driver and vehicle.
Meeting with the media Wednesday afternoon, Depue advised that it is not a good idea for students to walk alone to school or anywhere else -- good advice regardless of the authenticity of that morning’s reported stranger danger.
“A stranger is less likely to approach a group of kids,” he said. That advice was echoed in a message from Tracy Sample, principal of Lee’s Summit Elementary, which was sent home with students Wednesday.
“We commend the student for taking quick action during the incident and for immediately reporting this to our school staff,” Sample wrote in a letter addressed to parents. “This may also be a good time to discuss safety within your own family. Children should be reminded that when walking to school, a friend’s house or other locations, it is best to use the ‘buddy system’ and walk with other friends or family members. Students should avoid strangers at all times, whether they are pedestrians or drivers. In addition, students are urged to follow their own instincts. If they ever feel uncomfortable in any situation or with anyone, it is wise to get away from the person or persons and tell an adult.”
According to Sgt. Depue, Wednesday’s incident was similar to another reported Sept. 9 near Lee’s Summit Elementary, though the suspect in that case was described as a white male between 28 and 35.
In that instance, a fifth-grader walking to school was ordered by the suspect to get into his truck, a white, four-door or “quad cab” pickup, possibly a Dodge Ram. According to police, the child then ran to school and the suspect left the area.
The suspect in that case was described as stocky with brown hair and glasses. According to the student, he was wearing a white T-shirt bearing the image of “Stewie,” a character from the television show “The Family Guy.”
