Suspicious Incident Update
November 4, 2009
On Monday night, at approximately 7:00PM, the Tallahassee Police Department received a phone call from a peewee football coach. The coach explained that one of his players, a ten-year-old boy, informed him about a suspicious incident that occurred after practice that evening at Gilcrest Elementary School. During the initial report the coach stated that a white pickup truck approached the boy and offered him a ride. The boy refused the offer and the vehicle drove away. The boy then contacted the coach and relayed the events.
To ensure our community has accurate information the following provides a synopsis of what the Tallahassee Police Department's investigators have determined to be the actual sequence of events:
After being notified of the incident investigators interviewed the coach, witnesses, and the boy. Based on these interviews investigators believe the boy was alone waiting for a ride, when a white pickup truck pulled up. The driver rolled the passenger window down about half way - never exiting the vehicle - and stated in a normal non-threatening voice, "Do you need a ride?" The boy explained that he did not. The boy noticed that there was a young girl inside the vehicle, who appeared to be approximately 5 years of age. The driver is said to have made a second statement, but the boy could not hear what was said. The boy then began to walk away and the vehicle drove away in a normal manner.
The boy then located his coach, who was nearby, and reported the incident to him. The coach did not observe the vehicle driving away, but did notice a white truck leaving the area. The coach drove over to the white truck, documented the vehicle tag information and phoned police.
Investigators followed up on the tag information provided by the coach, finding that the vehicle belongs to another football coach. Continued investigation eliminated the vehicle and driver as being involved in the incident. Investigators have received numerous tips in reference to the suspected vehicle from the public and continue to follow-up on those leads. At the time of this update, investigators believe the events may have been a concerned parent, but have not ruled out possible criminal intent.
Chief Dennis Jones said, "I am relieved that this child is safe. I commend the child for saying 'no' to a stranger and reporting it to his coach. Additionally, I appreciate the coach's effort reporting the suspicious incident to the Tallahassee Police Department. In today's society I know that sometimes we are reluctant to get involved, but this is an example of how citizens keep citizens safe. I encourage anyone who observes suspicious activity to report it."
Anyone with information about this suspicious incident is asked to contact the Tallahassee Police Department at (850) 891-4200 or Crime Stoppers at (850) 574-TIPS (8477). Parents who wish to obtain additional training or information on child safety may contact the Community Relations Unit at (850) 891-4251. The CRU offers a free child safety course for children between the ages of 7-12.
Contact
David McCranie, Public Information Officer, 891-4255
To receive news releases delivered straight to your email, sign up for the Talgov.com Email Subscription Service.