HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Parents in the Cinco Ranch area are being put on the alert after a man was seen approaching a young girl, trying to get her in his pickup.
Investigators say it's the second time in the last few weeks its happened in that subdivision. The latest incident was on Morning Park Drive.
Deputies are calling the incident a suspicious circumstance. Parents were alerted through schools and their homeowners association. Investigators are trying to find out if there are any more instances and what that man's intentions may be.
Maritza Mitchell is one of many parents who received the notice.
"Just to be careful and just to be alert," she said.
While Mia and Pablo are young enough to always be supervised, she says it's never too early to start talking to them about stranger danger.
"They're easy because if people are nice to them and tell them they try to help them or something, they will believe it," Mitchell said.
The alert from the Fort Bend County Sheriff's Office warns parents about a suspicious older man seen following a young girl as she left her home on September 2. Deputies say the man, who was driving a mid-2000s white Toyota Tacoma, asked the girl if she needed a ride. When she said no, he drove off.
"It was shocking to know it happened on this street. We just moved here from the other side of the neighborhood," parent Derek Machart said.
Machart says he and his wife have already talked to Noah and Mikaela about what happened on their street.
"All the time, every day, warn them, make sure they are all right and be aware of your surroundings," he said.
Once the parents alerted the homeowners association about the incident, another parent reported a similar experience as their daughter was walking home from school August 29. A truck matching a similar description was seen following the girl slowly but no words were exchanged.
Families on Morning Park Drive enjoyed a quiet evening and they want to keep it that way.
"Concern that something like that is happening on your street. We just need to be careful about it and watch for everybody," Mitchell said.
The suspect was described as white male, approximately 50 to 60 years of age, with gray hair and facial wrinkles. The Toyota Tacoma he was driving had a Texas handicap license plate and a breast cancer awareness sticker on the tailgate.
Fort Bend County Special Crimes Detectives are actively investigating both incidents and are requesting assistance from the surrounding communities who may have information on this suspect or circumstances surrounding these incidents to contact Ft. Bend County Crime Stoppers at 281-342-TIPS (8477) or the Ft. Bend County Sheriff's Office at 281-341-4665.
(Copyright ©2012 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.)
Get more Local »local,
christine dobbyn View the original article here
KATY, TX (KTRK) -- A Katy ISD junior high student kicked a man he says was trying to lure him from a bus stop. That's according to a "stranger danger" alert sent to parents in the district. 