Arlington County

Arlington County Police Step Up Patrols After Suspicious Men Approach Children

What to Know

  • The incidents were reported between April 7 and May 25.
  • Police plan to patrol the neighborhoods where the incidents were reported.
  • There will also be an increased police presence at schools during dismissal.

Students in Arlington County may see more police officers as they leave school Wednesday afternoon after suspicious men approached children in the county on four separate occasions. 

The incidents were reported between April 7 and May 25 in various neighborhoods across the county. In the most recent incident, the victim was just steps away from a school when she was approached. 

Police plan to increase patrols in the areas where the victims were approached and at area schools during dismissals. 

The first incident was reported nearly two months ago. On April 7, a man tried to get two children walking in the 5200 block of 8th Road S. to follow him home, police say. The boy and girl refused, and the man left the area in a dark-colored pickup truck. The girl told police she noticed the same man watching her on three different occasions. 

Twelve days later, police say a man in a similar vehicle tried to get several children into his truck in the 5200 block of 30th Street N. The vehicle was described as a blue pickup truck with several dents and scratches. The children told police the truck had a ladder on top of it and numerous tools in the bed.

The third incident was reported on May 23. Police say two girls were walking in the 200 block of N. Park Drive when a dark blue pickup truck drove beside them as they walked. The victims caught up with another pedestrian in the area, and the man drove away. Police say the suspect did not talk to the victims.

Two days later, a girl was walking near Washington-Lee High School on N. Stafford Street when a vehicle traveling in the same direction slowed and appeared to wait for her. The victim turned around and walked in the opposite direction, police say. 

The girl told police the incident was not the first time she saw the suspicious vehicle in the area. On two separate occasions, the driver tried to get her attention or appeared to be watching her. 

Police have not said whether they believe any of the cases are connected. 

Anyone with information that can help police is asked to call police at 703-558-2222.

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