They tried to lure a girl into their truck. Now Richland police are on the hunt
Police are hunting for two people who tried to lure a 12-year-old Richland girl into their pickup.
The girl was waiting for a ride home at 4:30 p.m. Monday outside Carmichael Middle School, Richland police said.
A man driving a red Toyota pickup approached her, rolled down his window and asked her if she needed a ride.
When the girl turned him down, police said a woman got out of the passenger side and told the girl she “needed a ride” and to “get into the vehicle.”
As the girl was turning the woman down, her ride showed up. The woman walked away, heading east toward Wellsian Way.
The girl told police she didn’t recognize them.
She described the man as 45 to 55 years old, with gray hair and a gray beard.
Police don’t have a description of the woman. The truck had luggage in the back.
Investigators are working with the Richland School District to check video surveillance.
The incident appears to be isolated, and the girl handled it well, said Richland police Capt. Mike Cobb. Police are increasing patrols in the area.
“Anytime anything like this happens, people should be concerned, but I don’t think it’s a significant increase in this area,” he said.
Richland school officials take any luring reports seriously, said Steve Aagaard, the district’s communications director.
“We ask students, staff and parents to be vigilant as they enter and exit Richland School District campuses,” he said.
Students and parents should report any suspicious activity to the school principal and the police department.
Anyone with information is asked to call dispatch at 509-628-0333.
This story was originally published December 6, 2017 at 4:00 PM with the headline "They tried to lure a girl into their truck. Now Richland police are on the hunt."