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2 reports of stranger approaching, luring children in Charlotte

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department said it is investigating two reports of a man approaching children and attempting to give them money.

Like any other brothers, Vann Dutch Marek and Cole Marek love to swing, run through the neighborhood and pretend to be superheroes.

The boys, one a second-grader and the other a third-grader, said that they found themselves in a potentially dangerous situation over the weekend.

On Saturday, police got a call about the man in a white truck in the 4200 block of Hammett Street in the Oakhurst neighborhood.

The boys said the man was trying to get them into his vehicle.

They took off running and never looked back after he made the offer.

A caller said the same man had done the same thing the day before.

The driver was described as a black male, approximately 30 years old, with dreadlocks.
Police said they have not found the driver or the truck.

Anyone with information concerning these incidents is asked to immediately call 911 or contact Crime Stoppers at (704) 334.1600.  To learn more about the Crime Stoppers mobile app, click here.

Police also gave these safety tips:

  • Instruct your child to never take a ride from any strangers even if the person says that they are there to pick them up because their mom or dad sent them.
  • Instruct your child on how to contact the Police Department, Fire Department or Ambulance by dialing 911 and how to contact a known family member or responsible trustworthy neighbor or adult should an emergency arise.
  • Check your child's route to and from school. Call attention to any dangerous spots such as vacant lots, alleyways, etc. Advise them what to do if a strange person follows or approaches them.
  • Instruct your child's school to notify you immediately if your child is absent. Inform the principal who is authorized to pick your child up from school. Try to have the same person pick your child up every day when possible.
  • Choose a secret code word to use with your child in case of an emergency. Tell your child never to go with anyone who does not know this code word.
  • Advise your child what to do if they feel lost.  Help them to identify the safest place to go or person to ask for help in reuniting them with you or other caregiver. Examples of safe helpers could be a uniformed law-enforcement or security officer, store salesperson with a nametag, person with a nametag who is working at the information booth.

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