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Attempted Child Luring Suspect Offered Candy To Kids

WHITE TOWNSHIP (KDKA) -- Parents in one local community are on edge after an attempted child luring.

Police say the man offered the children candy to try and get them in his car.

It's not uncommon for kids to be running around one White Township neighborhood, but today, parents are on guard after an attempted child luring hit close to home.

Around 6 p.m. Wednesday, a group of kids was playing in front of a home on Merrick Street when a man in drove past.

He turned around in the cul de sac and then came back and offered candy to the children. Several boys ran off, but a little girl remained.

"There was a young female that was present," State Trooper John Matchik said.

"We believe she was in first grade and there was a specific reference at that point to try and entice her with what we believe to be a lollipop,"

An older girl standing nearby pulled the first grader away from the car and the man took off.

"The worst case scenario could have played out, so thankfully, she did the right thing, grabbed her by the arm, pulled her to safety because if that young girl would have gotten too close to that car, who knows what could have happened," Trooper Matchik said. "She could have become another victim of an abduction."

The man is driving a small green car and is believed to be a white man in his 60's or 70's.

There have not been any additional luring attempts and this morning, state police setup a traffic safety checkpoint outside of nearby East Pike Elementary School.

If you live in that area see a suspicious vehicle, state police want you to get the plate number they can check it out.

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