The Elyria School District notified parents and teachers Wednesday of a suspicious man who attempted to lure two teenage girls to get into his car while he exposed himself.
“The gentleman approached," said Capt. Chris Costantino of the Elyria police department. "He didn’t get out of his vehicle, but he called the girls over. One of the girls says she saw that he didn't have his pants on, and he appeared that he was masturbating."
Costantino said the incident happened on the Third St. bridge as the 15-year-old girls walked to Elyria High School at 8:45 am Wednesday.
"This particular situation today, he said get in my car, and of course they didn't," he added.
The victims told police that the person was a stocky, black man in his mid 30s, with a buzz haircut. The vehicle was a gold or tan SUV with stickers on the back and a busted out rear passenger side window.
Neither student was able to get a plate number.
One of the girls said a similar situation happened twice in the last month with same man in the same vehicle. Those incidents were not reported at the time, but took place near the Third Street bridge and Roosevelt School while the student was walking to and from school.
“Unfortunately, there’s certain people out there who have an attraction for children or juveniles, and they’re dangerous, they’re predators,” said Costantino.
The school district and Elyria police are urging anyone who matches the description to report it to police.
Students and parents are encouraged to walk in groups, and if approached by a suspicious individual, run and tell a trusted adult immediately.
