PHOENIX — Students of the Deer Valley Unified School District are being warned to watch out for a stranger who has allegedly tried luring children by offering candy.
A student from Constitution Elementary was allegedly approached Wednesday morning by a driver who offered them candy near 17th and Grovers avenues, according to a letter sent out by the school.
The student did not know the people in the car and proceeded to ride away on their bicycle. The people in the car then allegedly tried grabbing the student but were unsuccessful.
"That could have ended real bad,” said Clarence Brooks whose kids attend the school.
Brooks picked his children up in-person Thursday after hearing about the incident.
“That worries me because that’s like the first time we are hearing that in this area," he said.
A similar incident was experienced by a Deer Valley Middle School student who reported being approached by someone as they were walking to a bus stop.
The Phoenix Police Department was contacted and officers responded to both school campuses to investigate. Officers have canvassed the surrounding neighborhood in an attempt to identify the stranger, police said.
School officials are reminding students to walk in groups whenever possible and pay attention to their surroundings.
Anyone who has observed this type of suspicious activity is encouraged to call the police at 602-262-6151.
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