Valparaiso Police have issued a child safety alert after three incidents have been reported in two weeks of a strange man’s following a child in his vehicle or actually trying to lure the child into his vehicle.

The most recent incident occurred at 4:15 p.m. Tuesday, when a white male driving a pickup truck began following a 12-year-old girl walking in the area of Chestnut and Campbell streets. Police said that the man then exited the pickup and followed the girl on foot until she ran from the area.

The suspect was described as being 5’ 7’’ to 5’ 8’’ with a thin build. The pickup was described as being white in color with a cap on the bed.

The first incident occurred at 5:05 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 23, when a white male driving a black truck followed two 10-year-old girls in the area of Glendale Blvd. and Dainesway.

The second incident occurred at 3:20 p.m. Tuesday, March 3, when a white male driving a small brown truck attempted to lure a 13-year-old boy into his vehicle in the area of Napoleon Street and Evans Ave.

“Any suspicious activities similar to these should be reported to police immediately,” the VPD said. “Parents should remind children never to approach a vehicle or stranger in any circumstances. Extra patrols will be conducted in and around school zones by police.”

Posted 3/11/2010