On Friday, October 24, the Fairfield Police received a report that a juvenile was approached by a stranger in a vehicle while in the parking lot of Rite Aid, 1619 Post Rd. The incident was reported a significant time after it occurred, however, the investigation determined the following details:
The juvenile waited in the front parking lot of Rite Aid while the juvenile’s mother was inside shopping. A driver operating a brown or tan van drove up next to the juvenile and made inappropriate comments and offers of a gift. The juvenile said “no” and backed away from the vehicle. The vehicle then left through the rear driveway of Rite Aid. The vehicle was described as an “older brown or tan minivan.” The operator was described as a “heavy set” male with a heavy Hispanic accent, dark skinned, with dark “slicked back” hair, wearing dark clothing.
This incident is currently under investigation.
In the neighborhood setting, parents should:
- Remain vigilant in observing and reporting any suspicious vehicles, persons, activities, or anything that is otherwise not normal for their area.
- Regularly reinforce with their children to avoid suspicious persons and vehicles.
- Encourage their children to talk about anything abnormal they observe throughout their day, and encourage them to immediately tell an adult they trust if they have had an encounter that they feel was not normal.
- They should walk home in a group or with a buddy.
- They should use routes that are busier, more open and well lit.
- They should always avoid any strangers attempting to engage them in a conversation.
- They should never approach a strange vehicle.
- They should immediately tell an adult they trust if they think they have been followed.
Please do not hesitate to call police to report any strange persons, vehicles, or activity that you may observe in your neighborhood or around your schools.