By Traci Chapman
Managing Editor
Piedmont Police Department is investigating a report by a student who said he was approached by an individual attempting to lure him into a van as he walked home from a summer school camp.
Police Chief Scott Singer said the incident occurred between about 7:30-8 a.m. Monday.
“The young man was walking on Stout Road near the entrance to Town Center, and as he walked by the entrance a white van appeared,” the chief said. “An older Caucasian man balding on top, with long hair on the sides and a beard, tried to coax the young man into the van.”
When the student refused, the man allegedly jumped out of the van and followed the student as he ran away. The youth told officers he saw a knife in the man’s hand, but he was able to get away and make it home, where he then contacted officers.
The youth’s mother reported the man allegedly told her son he was picking him up at her request, something the student knew was untrue, she said.
The van was described as white in color with dark windows and a white ladder on the top of it, Singer said.
Piedmont Public School District issued a statement about the incident on social media, advising in that announcement it would “increase patrolling security on and around campus as a precaution for our students.” The district said the student was “walking home from the annual Summer Pride” event when the incident occurred.
Several online accounts were circulating across social media about the Monday incident, many of which did not appear fully grounded in fact, officials said. In particular, posts stating police had released information was false, Singer said.
What police were doing was investigating the matter, including attempting to examine possible video footage in the area.
The chief asked children and youth to be aware of their surroundings at all times; the school district suggested students walk with a group, when possible.
Chief Singer asked anyone with any information about the alleged abductor or vehicle contact Piedmont Police Department at (405) 373-1334.
