Stranger Accused of Trying to Lure Girl Into Car

A 12-year-old Alpine girl claimed a strange man tried to get her into his car as she walked home with her little brother

San Diego deputies are searching for a man accused of trying to lure a 12-year-old girl into his car in Alpine, only driving away from the child after an adult asked him what he was doing.

According to the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department, the incident happened on Sept. 12 around 4 p.m. in the 2000 block of Arnold Way. The girl’s mother reported it to officials Monday.

The girl told deputies she was walking home from the Alpine Youth Center when a gray, four-door car pulled up next to her. The driver then allegedly gestured for her to approach the passenger side door and asked her, “Where is your mom?”

Frightened, the girl ran into a nearby apartment complex, investigators said.

Deputies said the girl’s 8-year-old brother was walking a few feet behind his sister and ran after her. The children hid in a laundry room at a nearby apartment complex where a female resident found them a short time later.

When the woman asked the kids what was happening, the girl told her a stranger had tried to lure her into his car.

Investigators said the man and his gray vehicle reappeared in the area a short time later and drove near the woman and the children. The woman approached the car and asked the man why he was trying to lure the girl.

The man then allegedly yelled expletives at the woman and drove away. No one was injured, deputies said.

The sheriff’s department released a composite sketch of the suspect Wednesday, along with details of the incident. The girl described the man as being about 40 years old with a thin build and short, brown hair. She said he may have had arm tattoos that read “mom,” “dad” and “Mary.” He wore a red San Francisco baseball cap during the encounter.

The incident remains under investigation. Anyone with information should contact the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department at (858) 565-5200 or Crime Stoppers at (888) 580-8477.
 

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