Update | Police say report about man trying to lure Pasco student is ‘unfounded’

Pasco police now believe a report of a man trying to lure a student into a white work van is “unfounded.”

“Our officers and detectives have examined the facts, and we can confirm that there is no current threat to the community,” police said in a Facebook post on Thursday.

A Captain Gray elementary student told school officials about the man approaching them less than a block away from the school near the intersection of Ninth Avenue and Court Street, said a notification by the school district.

The student said a middle-aged man with facial hair offered candy.

The student turned and ran back to the school and reported the encounter, said officials. Students were out early Wednesday because it was an early release day. Police have not said the student was a boy or girl.

School staff called police triggering an investigation.

“We appreciate the response from the community who took the initiative to call in with information to our non-emergency dispatch,” the police Facebook post said. “Your cooperation plays a crucial role in maintaining the safety and security of Pasco.”

This story was originally published January 31, 2024 at 4:52 PM.