Driver Attempts to Lure Student Into Van

For the second time in two months, a Half Hollow Hills student was reportedly followed by an unknown male.

Suffolk County police notified the district that on Tuesday, Nov. 22 at approximately 7:15 a.m. a West Hollow student was approached by a man in a white van while waiting for the bus.

According to the district’s community alert, a man attempted to lure the child into the vehicle by offering candy near Oxford Avenue and Bennington Street. The alert notes that the van has been seen in the surrounding area.

The man is described as a while male with a receding hairline, possibly in his mid 30s, with a large earring and was wearing a hoodie at the time of the incident. The vehicle is described as a white commercial van with purple graffiti on the back and a darkened circle window on the side.

A similar incident occurred just a month earlier. Police alerted the district on Oct. 28 that an unknown man followed a student home.

According to the community alert, the student became aware that there was a man in a car that was watching her in the bus lot of . According to the report, she became uncomfortable as she walked home and ran to a neighbor’s house. The car sped up, and the driver opened the car door, the district said.

The driver is described as a male who drives a black or dark blue Honda Civic with New York license plates.

It is not yet known if the incidents are related.

The district urges parents to discuss with their children the importance of being aware of their surroundings. Anything suspicious should be reported immediately to the Suffolk County Police Department (911).