Police investigating attempted child luring in West Chester, Pennsylvania

ByRebeccah Hendrickson WPVI logo
Tuesday, January 12, 2021
Police investigating attempted luring in West Chester
Police say the children didn't know the man and could only describe him as having a raspy voice.

WEST CHESTER, Pennsylvania (WPVI) -- Police in West Chester, Pennsylvania are looking for a man who they say tried to lure two kids at a park into his car.

Investigators say two boys, ages 12 and 14, were playing at Hoopes Park on Saturday around 5:20 p.m. when a man in a white Ford Explorer came speeding into the parking lot, opened his driver's side door, and told the two boys to get in the car.

Police say the driver was unknown to the children, who ran home and reported the incident to their parents.

Investigators say the driver never got out of the car and left the park onto Ashbridge Street.

"I grew up babysitting these kids and I don't want to see it happen to them, kind of scary," said Jack Missett.

The 18-year-old says he comes to the park every day and has seen cars lurking before.

"Every time I bike by I see a person sitting in their car just chilling. I'll bike in here, look at them, just up to no good. I don't like that and I'll leave, he said.

Police say the children didn't know the man and could only describe him as having a raspy voice.

The description of the car matches a 5th generation Ford Explorer, model years between 2011-2019.

Police say there are no cameras in this park, but they are looking for neighbors who may have their own surveillance video to help with the investigation.

Anyone who may have been suspicious activity is asked to call the West Chester Police Department at 610-696-2700.