Springdale Police Investigating After Report Of Attempted Luring

SPRINGDALE (KDKA) –- Springdale Borough Police stepped up patrols Tuesday following a report of a possible attempted luring.

According to Police Chief Joe Naviglia, the 14-year-old girl was walking along Pittsburgh Street on her way to the Springdale Junior-Senior High School, when a man in a tan-colored sedan pulled up.

Police say the man asked her if she needed a ride. When the girl declined, police say the man asked again. The chief paraphrased the unknown driver as saying 'Come on, get in. It's cold out.' The teenage girl declined once again.

Police say it's unclear if he asked a third time, but the teen pulled out her phone, which was enough for the man to speed off.

Once she safely made it to school, police say the girl immediately informed the principal, who called police. The man is described as a white male, in his 40s, overweight, with a reddish beard.

On Monday, the Allegheny Valley School District sent home a letter to parents, informing them of the reported incident.

Parents were alarmed, but thankful the district was keeping them informed.

"Hopefully they find the person that did this," said Rick Toney, who is also a police officer in a nearby township.

As he dropped off two of his children, he said, "You can't take anything for granted. You definitely want to look into it and beef up patrols."

Superintendent Cheryl Griffith said the school district and local police departments have a great working relationship.

While police will increase patrols for the remainder of the week, Griffith says the Springdale Borough Police usually make several rounds around the school and surrounding neighborhoods every day.

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