Lakeport police looking for man suspected of trying to lure girls into his car

Lakeport police are searching for a man suspected of recently trying to lure children into his vehicle while they waited for the bus on two separate occasions in the area of North Forbes Street.

Police said witnesses described the subject as a black adult male in his mid-20s, with a fade haircut and a chubby face. He was seen driving a tan four-door compact car with tan seats and clear windows.

On Wednesday morning, police interviewed an 11-year-old girl who said she was approached by the suspect Oct. 16 while at a bus stop on the 400 block of North Forbes Street.

Police said the suspect drove past her slowly and began staring at her. The girl said the suspect drove up the block and turned around a second time, driving very slowly and looking at her.

He then drove back a third time and pulled his car against the curb in front of her and ordered her to get into the car, police said. The girl refused and the suspect replied, “get into the car now,” according to a police statement.

The girl’s 8-year-old brother then told the suspect to leave and he drove away, police said. The girl gave a description of the car and the suspect.

In a separate incident Oct. 20, police said a man they believe to be the same suspect pulled up to an 8-year-old girl at the same bus stop, opened his door and told her to get in.

The girl said the man told her it was OK to get into the car but drove off when the bus arrived, police said. The girl said the man was holding a shiny, dark object in his hand. No further information was provided to police.

Police officials, who have alerted the Lakeport Unified School District, said they are continuing their investigation. They ask anyone with information about the suspect to contact the Lakeport Police Department.

You can reach Staff Writer Martin Espinoza at 521-5213 or martin.espinoza@pressdemocrat.com. On Twitter @renofish.