Crime & Safety

Police: Stranger Approaches 4th Child Friday

The Shelby Township police have confirmed that a fourth child was approached by a strange man Friday.

The Shelby Township police, parents and schools are on extremely high alert after police said a strange man approached another child Friday morning and offered the youngster a ride home from school.

The incident took place on 23 Mile and Dequindre roads Friday morning, police said.

This is the fourth time a man, with a similar description, has approached young children in the area in the past three weeks.

Find out what's happening in Shelby-Uticawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

On Tuesday afternoon, police said the same man offered a ride to a Malow Junior High student who was walking home from school. The student ran home and reported the incident to a parent.

Last month, the man was sighted on a residential street twice near two elementary schools talking to young children. None of the children got into the man's vehicle.

Find out what's happening in Shelby-Uticawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

After a child was approached near Crissman Elementary School last month, a letter was sent home to parents and a sketch was released.

The children have described the stranger as Hispanic, in his mid-30s, tall and stocky. He has short black hair, a mustache and a tattoo on his right arm.

The Malow student said the man was wearing sunglasses and driving a small black SUV, possibly a Chevrolet Blazer.

On Tuesday, a letter was sent home to all Malow Junior High School parents, as well as to nearby elementary schools, warning parents to talk with their children about what to do if a stranger approaches them.

"We will be reminding our students of the need to remain alert at all times, stay in groups when outdoors and immediately report any suspicious behavior to a responsible adult," said Malow Principal Robert Hock.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Shelby Township Police Department at 586-731-2121 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-SPEAK UP.


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