Police urge ‘stranger danger’ conversations
Local police are urging parents to have a “stranger danger” conversation with their children after a man reportedly tried to lure a young teen into his car.
Fort Myers Police Department officers responding to a report of a suspicious person in the area of Oleander Avenue and Iroquois Avenue at 9:11 Monday were told by the mother of a 14-year-old girl that a man approached the teen near her bus stop.
The suspect is described as an Hispanic male in his mid to late 30s, approximately 5’06” to 5’09” tall, with full beard. He was driving an older gray two-door convertible with three indented lines in the rear quarter panels that appeared to be designs.
The girl said the man, who “spoke English but with a very heavy accent,” began talking to her in an attempt to get her inside the vehicle. When she would not get into the car, he became upset and exited the vehicle. He was wearing a black T-shirt with a red crown emblem on one of the shoulders with white lettering in the middle of the shirt surrounded by a gold design.
The girl ran home and told her mother.
“The child absolutely did the right thing today. Run home, tell your parents and call police,” said Fort Myers Police Department spokesperson Lt. Victor Medico. “Calls like the one received today should be a reminder for parents to have the stranger danger talk.”
Detectives are following up with the case and ask that anyone with information to call the Fort Myers Police Department at 239-321-7700, Crime Stoppers at 1-800-780-TIPS or text message C-R-I-M-E-S (274637) Keyword FMPD. Tipsters can remain anonymous.
Source: Fort Myers Police Department