Police in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, issued a warning about a driver who attempted to lure a child with candy near an elementary school; it was later identified as an incident involving “immature teens.”
The Conshohocken Police Department shared that on Tuesday, May 19, around 4:30 p.m., a child walking home was reportedly approached by an unknown individual driving a white SUV on the 100 Block of East 3rd Avenue, near Conshohocken Elementary School.
Police said the driver allegedly attempted to get the student into the vehicle by offering a ride and candy.
The child was able to safely return home immediately and notified their parents, who then contacted police and school officials.
In an update, police said that an investigation revealed that the incident happened to be the “poor judgment and immature behavior by local teenagers, rather than an attempted abduction.”
“We are grateful the student acted quickly by going home and informing their parents, and we appreciate the prompt response from all involved,” police said
Police stated that this incident still highlights the importance of awareness and a reminder for families to review safety precautions with children, including:
• Never accept rides, gifts, candy, or money from strangers
• Stay alert and avoid distractions while walking home
• Walk with friends or groups whenever possible
• Immediately leave the area and seek help from a trusted adult if approached by someone suspicious
• Memorize important phone numbers and safe locations along their route home
Police also encourage parents to regularly discuss “stranger awareness” and situational safety with their children.