UPDATE: Beware of Potential Child Abductor
In Eureka, parents should instead be on the look out for a dark green sport utility vehicle (SUV).
Editor's Note: The following article contains updated information from the Eureka Police Department that became available after the 3 p.m. article entitled Beware of Potential Child Abductor was published.
Lt. David Wilson of the Eureka Police Department confirms with Patch that a child-related incident did occur in Eureka Monday. "A young girl while riding her bike said she believed one of two men in a SUV motioned with a finger for her to come to their vehicle," said Wilson.
Wilson indicated the windows of the SUV were rolled up, however.
Reports received today by the Eureka police force indicate the men in Eureka were in a dark green SUV, not a black Ford Ranger allegedly associated with other potential child abduction attempts recently in Fredericktown and Viburum. The Eureka girl thought there was brown paint or rust near the bottom half of the SUV, Wilson said.
"What the men's intentions were Monday are unknown," said Wilson. "They never said anything to the girl or approached her."
But Wilson said they are taking the matter seriously, and following up on leads. He said today they have compared notes with Bonne Terre, MO, officers, who are pursuing an associated child nabbing attempt there. He also said Monday's Eureka incident is being classified as a possible abduction until proven otherwise.
Wilson said Eureka police have not received any other reports of a similar nature this week. "We have had several calls from people after word got out about it (the Monday incident). Some people had misinformation, though."
Wilson said he will provide updates to Patch about this matter if and when they occur.
Tracy Beckermann
12:19 am on Friday, June 15, 2012
Could this be the same men who tried to get a ten year old boy last Saturday night in O'Fallon, Mo.? The subdivision is called Wing Haven. Why are they not saying anything about this on the news?
Julie Brown Patton
11:21 am on Friday, June 15, 2012
Today (Friday), Eureka Police Chief Michael Wiegand issued an official letter about this matter. It is included here now in the PDF section of this article.
Ann Martel
9:16 pm on Friday, June 15, 2012
Unfortunately, the letter is completely illegible!
Julie Brown Patton
6:48 am on Saturday, June 16, 2012
Sorry, Ann Martel. Did it load completely? I've checked the letter again this morning and it is displaying fine. PDFs typically take a second to load, though.