Local

Investigators still searching for attempted luring suspect

SPRINGDALE, Pa. — The Allegheny Valley School District and the Springdale Borough Police Department are investigating the report of an attempted luring Monday morning.

According to Superintendent Cheryl Griffith, a male driver tried to lure a 14-year-old Springdale Junior-Senior High School student into a vehicle while she was walking to a friend’s house before school along Pittsburgh Street.

Investigators said a man driving a tan colored car pulled up next to the girl and asked her if she wanted a ride.

After she said she didn’t, she took out her cellphone as if she was going to make a call. Police said the man then sped away.

Once she got to school, the girl told school officials who then alerted police.

“The district takes concerns of this nature very seriously and appreciates your cooperation in talking with your children to reinforce safety precautions,” Griffith said in a letter sent home with students Monday.

Police said they’ve increased patrols in the area, and are actively searching for the man.

As word was still traveling Tuesday about the incident, Springdale residents told Channel 11 News the attempted luring surprised them.

“Anybody who comes into this are and messes with kids should deal with adults,” Springdale resident Pat Lyons said.

Investigators said the suspect is a white man in his 40s. He had a red beard and was wearing a gray shirt with a black jacket.

Anyone with information on the attempted luring is asked to contact police.