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Police Seek Suspect In 2 Possible Luring Attempts In Deer Lakes Park

WEST DEER TOWNSHIP (KDKA) -- Allegheny County Police say they are investigating a pair of possible attempted child luring incidents in Deer Lakes Park.

According to police, the two separate incidents both happened on Monday, April 25 with the man approaching kids in the park and asking them if they would like to meet his dog.

Investigators say the suspect first approached a child at the children's playground, asked him his name and who he was there with, and then offered to let the boy go to his car with him to see his dog.

A grandparent to the child then asked the man to leave.

Police say it was shortly after that incident when it is believed the same man approached two more young children in the lower playground area and asked if they would like to play with his dog.

The children's mother confronted the man, police say. The incident caught the attention of another adult, and then the man left the scene.

At the park late Tuesday, Estelle Burris of Gibsonia, was there with two children.

Burris told KDKA-TV's Ralph Iannotti, "It's scary. It's close to home; it's not something you want in your backyard."

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The man is described as a white male, standing between 5-foot-9-inches and 6-feet tall with a stocky build, round face, and longer, wavy graying hair. He had no facial hair.

Officials say he is believed to be in his late-40s to early-50s, but dressed younger than that.

He did have a dog with him, police say. The animal is described as possibly being an American Bulldog, mostly white with a dark patch of fur around one of its eyes.

Police say the man was driving a late-model, black Honda sedan.

Jesse Carnevale, of Creighton, who was at the park with his daughter, McKenzie, reacted to the alleged luring attempt, saying, "It's crazy how somebody could do that. In my opinion, I'm baffled about it. I know you hear it more and more every day."

Anyone with information on the man, the incidents, or anyone who has experienced a similar incident is asked to contact Allegheny County Police at 412-473-1200.

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