Parents living near Lone Star Elementary School say they are taking extra precautions after a student reported that someone in a blue van tried to lure them into the vehicle while walking to school Friday morning.
According to the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, an unknown person reportedly attempted to lure the student into a blue vehicle. The student was able to get away and arrived at school safely without harm.
Christina Marino, a parent who lives just blocks from the school, says the incident is frightening for families in the area.
“We always know that things like this can happen,” Marino says. “We watch our kids very closely, but to hear that something like that happened so close and right near the school is really scary.”
Marino says parents in the neighborhood are looking out for children, especially with so many students walking to and from school.
First Coast News Crime and Safety Expert Ken Jefferson says investigators will likely rely on witnesses and surveillance cameras as they work to identify a suspect. Jefferson says children should also know how to respond if someone attempts to lure them into a vehicle.
“If they are approached by anybody trying to lure them into the car or entice them to come, tell them to run in the opposite direction of the direction that the vehicle is traveling,” Jefferson recommends. “Running in the opposite direction, yelling and screaming fire, anything that gets people’s attention. Help is so common.”
JSO says an individual has been identified in connection with the case, but no arrest has been made at this time. The investigation remains ongoing.