Multiple attempts to lure children reported in Kennewick

Kennewick police received reports over two days this past week of three separate attempts by strangers to lure children into vehicles or homes.

▪ Officers were called Tuesday to Vista Elementary School after a 10-year-old girl reported a man approaching her while walking to school.

“The student advised that the male invited her to come inside his home for breakfast and put his hand on her shoulder,” police said. “She said she struck the male with her violin case and ran to school.”

The incident happened in an unincorporated part of the county and the Benton County Sheriff’s Office ended up taking the lead on the case. The man was interviewed and denied the encounter with the girl and no charges have been filed.

▪  Another 10-year-old girl reported being approached by a woman driving a red- or maroon-colored Chevrolet Suburban as she was walking to her father’s car at Southgate Elementary School.

The woman, described as middle-aged and with blonde hair, asked the girl if she wanted a ride home, a police briefing said. The girl’s father took a photo of the vehicle but neither it nor the woman has been identified.

▪  A 7-year-old girl who went out to get the mail for her family on Wednesday evening reported being approached by an older man who offered her a ride and candy.

The girl said she was at the mailbox in the 1300 block of west 10th Avenue when a two-door dark-colored Honda Civic pulled up. The man, who had gray hair and facial hair, glasses and tattoos, got out, opened the passenger door and asked her if she’d like a ride. The girl said there was also a woman and young boy in the vehicle.

“She ran back to her apartment and reported the incident to her mother,” police said. The vehicle hasn’t been located.

This story was originally published May 26, 2016 at 2:50 PM with the headline "Multiple attempts to lure children reported in Kennewick."