San Diego County Sheriff's Deputies have learned new information that has prompted them to call off the investigation into a reported attempt to lure Lemon Grove Academy Middle School students with money.
Detectives have learned through their investigation that the man was diagnosed with intellectual and mobility disabilities and was waiting for his niece when he asked nearby kids to buy him ice cream from a truck parked near the skate park, the SDSO said in an updated release.
Lemon Grove Academy Middle School Principal Vanessa Ruiz said she was supervising student dismissal Tuesday when she was approached about the incident. Two students had approached and she sent out an alert to parents.
Ruiz said she immediately pulled out her phone and snapped a photo of the man's license plate and contacted dispatch, and supplied them with a plate number and description of the individual.
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The information helped them locate the man and eventually confirm the man did not tell anyone to get into his car, according to SDSO spokesperson Melissa Lopez Aquino.
"Detectives with the Lemon Grove Sheriff's Substation conducted a follow up investigation on April 10 and located the car, as well as spoke to the driver and his family who said it was all a misunderstanding," Lopez Aquino said. "The family was on their way to the Rancho San Diego Sheriff's Station to clarify and explain their side of the incident to deputies."
SDSO praised the vigilance of the school, students and parents to report suspicious activity.
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"In this case, the report was found to be unfounded and no crime was committed."
