Police encourage citizens to report suspicious people approaching kids

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The Maricopa Police Department has recently received several calls about suspicious individuals who have appeared to be stalking children.

Fortunately, none of the children was harmed.

On Wednesday, there was a report of a man in a green vehicle following a 16-year-old girl.

On Tuesday, there were two reports about a man in a white pickup truck with spinning, shiny rims. In the first report, a 10-year-old student at Maricopa Elementary School had advised the principal a man in a white Chevy truck had called the student over to him by name, but the student didn’t know the man. Two hours later, a woman on Mountain View Road called to report that she had seen the truck, and that her kids were told at school to watch out for the vehicle.

On Aug. 17, a woman reported her daughters were approached by a woman in a white minivan who offered the girls candy and that a van matching that description was parked across the street from her house. When the parent came outside, the van took off.

MPD advises citizens to report suspicious activities. Some of the things to watch for and report are:
• A stranger entering your neighbor’s house when your neighbor is not home.
• Unusual noises, like a scream, breaking glass or a loud explosive noise.
• Anyone peering into parked cars. They may be looking for a car to steal or for valuables left visible in the car.
• Strangers loitering around schools, parks, recreation facilities or secluded areas in your community.
• Someone going door-to-door in your community trying to open doors or going to the side or back door, especially if a companion appears to wait in front or is following in a car.
• Someone apparently trying to force entry into a home or vehicle, even if he’s wearing a repairman’s uniform.
• Vehicles being loaded with valuables if parked in front of an unattended residence, even if the vehicle appears to be a legitimate-looking commercial vehicle. Many criminals customize their vehicles to look legitimate.

MPD also advises to never confront suspicious people. Have a camera ready to take photographs of suspicious people or vehicles and call police.

Law enforcement also urges parents to tell their children to be aware of their surroundings, walk in groups, avoid isolated places, never approach a stranger and call 911 in case of an emergency.

To contact MPD, call 520-316-6880.