Tuesday, 03 December 2024

Authorities look for suspicious vehicle in Middletown

MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – Local law enforcement and education officials issued warnings Wednesday regarding a suspicious vehicle whose owner allegedly was contacting school-age children in the Middletown area.


The Lake County Sheriff's Office issued an alert seeking the driver of a black 2000 Volvo with a Minnesota license plate, No. 933AHB, which was last seen in the Middletown area.


Middletown Unified also reportedly issued an automated call to parents warning of the incident.


Officials said the driver is wanted for questioning regarding an allegation that he tried to get three young girls into his car at Middletown High School on Wednesday by asking them for directions.


The man wanted for questioning was described as a white male adult, approximately 25 years of age, with curly blonde hair. No further descriptive information was available by the end of business Wednesday.


While the man is only wanted for questioning, officials said community members should not attempt to contact the man if they see him.


If anyone knows the immediate location of this person or vehicle, or has seen the man or his car and can provide a current location, call the Lake County Sheriff’s Department Dispatch center at 707-263-2690.


Information as to the whereabouts of this person or vehicle also can be directed to Det. Mike Curran at 707-262-4232.


This is the second time this month suspicious activity has been reported near a school in the Middletown area.


The sheriff's office previously issued a report seeking the public's assistance in identifying a full-sized white “cargo type” van with no side windows or business markings but with expanded steel caging in the back windows.


The van been seen by students in the area of the bus stop on the corner of Stonegate and Greenridge Roads in Hidden Valley Lake on two separate occasions during the first two weeks of September, as Lake County News has reported.


The sole male occupant of the van has reportedly been seen parked near the stop with the window down and on one occasion, the driver reportedly looked at some children as they left the bus stop and then followed them for a short distance up Stonegate Road before turning around and leaving.


The driver in that case was described as a white male adult with “medium” skin tone, a shaved head, and possibly having blue eyes, officials reported.


Coyote Valley Elementary issued a subsequent notice to parents that the sheriff's office had followed up on another white van that wasn't the suspect vehicle, but which belonged to a local man.


“It is important that we not make quick judgments or unjustified accusations with neighbors and community members that may coincidentally own a white van,” the notice said.


The school also urged parents to take the opportunity to talk to their children about safety around strangers, “but please remind them not to make unfounded accusations or spread rumors that may provoke unwarranted panic.”


Follow Lake County News on Twitter at http://twitter.com/LakeCoNews and on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Lake-County-News/143156775604?ref=mf .

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