Police: Report of luring in Upper Darby was false

UPPER DARBY, Pa. - March 9, 2012

The incident, as reported to police, bore many similarities to five previous reports.

However, investigators now say Friday's alleged incident was unfounded.

On Thursday, police questioned a man in connection with this case - but that person was ultimately let go.

Police released a sketch of the suspect after a fifth victim came forward on Tuesday. The 18-year-old girl says she saw a man pull up in a bluish-green van at the corner of Huey Avenue and Windamere Road on Monday afternoon. The teen, who attends Upper Darby High School, says the man made eye contact with her, then he looked at his lap, and it was then that the teen realized he was engaged in a lewd act.

Police have no doubt it was the same man who has been on the prowl for two and a half weeks.

Upper Darby Police Superintendent Michael Chitwood tells Action News, "These individuals are sick. They're not dealing with a straight deck. I mean, they truly, truly are predators. And with a sexual predator, based on my experience, they escalate their behavior."

Upper Darby now has five cases of a man preying on youngsters, and at times exposing himself, on the books since February 19th. Most are clustered around this latest reported incident across from the high school. A fifth happened in the Stonehurst section of the township.

The children who have been targeted are all teens, and each report seeing a man with graying facial hair, travelling in a bluish-green minivan.

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