Crime & Safety

UPDATE: Minnetonka Police Still Investigating Child Luring Case

On Monday, an elementary schooler was approached by an unknown man in a van. School officials and police see an opportunity to talk to kids about personal safety. And on Friday Minnetonka Police say there is no update in the case.

Minnetonka Police say a man used candy to lure a child Monday afternoon near the intersection of Stratford and Ashcroft Roads in Minnetonka. And as of now police have no update on the case. 

According to police, around 3 p.m., a man approached an elementary student from  as she walked home from her school bus stop. They said an older man with gray hair driving an unmarked white van pulled up along side the girl, rolled down his window and asked her if she wanted candy. The girl ignored the man and then quickly walked ahead to catch up to a friend who was in front of her.

The girl told her parents about the incident, who in turn, called . According to the two female students involved, the van had no writing on it and it had no windows other than the windows in the cab area. It isn't known whether the van was old or new.

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Tuesday, Minnetonka Police said they are continuing to investigate the incident. 

“We’re concerned about it, obviously,” Minnetonka Police Chief Mark Raquet said. “The whole thing is pretty vague, though. We don’t have a lot of information to go on.” 

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In response to Monday's incident, the Minnetonka Police Department is providing extra patrols in the area, especially before and after school, and is also alerting police in neighboring communities. No other recent incidents such as this have been reported, Raquet said.

On Tuesday, Deephaven Principal Bryan McGinley sent an email to Deephaven parents. In it, he encouraged parents to be extra alert around school bus stops and report any suspicious activity to police and to the schools. 

The children in this situation acted appropriately by running away and by reporting it to adults, said police and school officials, who urged parents to use this incident as an opportunity to discuss stranger danger with children. If concerned parents can’t meet children at their bus stops, Raquet suggested, the children should walk home in pairs.

“It’s springtime and more people are out and about. It’s an appropriate time to remind parents to talk to kids about personal safety,” said Janet Swiecichowski, Minnetonka Schools spokeswoman.

“If parents haven’t had that conversation with their kids, they should,” Raquet said. “It’s really important.”


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