Prineville police step up patrols after apparent luring incident

Prineville police said Tuesday they are adding extra patrols around schools after two Crook County Middle School students reported a man approached them in a pickup as they walked home from school and offered them a “treat.”

Around 3:20 p.m. Monday, the juveniles reported the unknown adult male approached them, driving an older, silver and blue pickup with a Colorado license plate and offered them a “treat,” said Sgt. Mark Monroe.

The youths refused the offer and ran from the scene, later reporting the incident to Prineville police.

“They did the right thing by refusing that and removing themselves from the situation right away by going in the other direction,” said Crook County Middle School Principal Kurt Sloper.

Monroe said the children said the man was hiding his face, so they were unable to provide a description.

Parents of the two students turned to social media to spread the word.

“There was a post on Facebook — the mom of one of the daughters saying, ‘Prineville watch out — some guys drove by girls and asked if they wanted snacks,” said Crook County High School freshman Rebecca Reed.

Automated phone calls and e-mails went out to inform Crook County School District parents of what happened and steps taken to boost security by both the schools and police.

Officers searched the area but were unable to find the pickup, Monroe said. Extra patrols are being conducted in school areas.

Anyone with more information is asked to call Prineville police at 541-447-4168.

Sloper encouraged students to use the buddy system and inform parents of their whereabouts until the suspicious man is found. He said the school staff had not seen the truck prior to the incident.