ST. GEORGE, Utah – A stranger allegedly tried to entice a St. George boy who was walking home from school to get into his car, and now police are investigating.
Police said a student was walking home from Tonaquint Intermediate School on Wednesday when he was approached by a man in a gold sedan. The encounter happened near Tonaquint Drive and Tonaquint Terrace.
Authorities said the suspect asked the boy if he needed a ride home.
“From our understanding is, this man was trying to get this young man into his car,” said St. George Police Department Sgt. Sam Despain. “[The suspect] proceeded to ask a lot of questions. It just didn’t seem right.”
Despain said soon after, a family friend of the boy drove by and recognized him in the suspicious situation. The family friend realized something was wrong and went back to pick up the boy.
“This boy knew these people, trusted them, and he got in the car with them rather than this stranger," Despain said.
Washington County School District Assistant Superintendent Richard Holmes said they were notified of the incident and are cooperating with police on an investigation. Holmes said administrators routinely talk to students and parents about safe routes to and from school. They’re glad that in this situation the boy did the right thing and refused to get the car.
The suspect is described as a white man in his late 20s with facial sores and a mustache that is shaved in the middle under his nose.
Officers said they don’t have a specific make or model for the gold sedan but said it is covered with rounded dents.
St. George police would like to speak with anyone who has information in this incident at (435) 627-4300.
