Police are investigating recent incidents that have occurred throughout Redwood City involving a suspicious person offering to give teens on their way to and from school rides.
"We're increasing our patrols and we want to talk to him," said Ashley Osborne, a Redwood City Police Lieutenant.
The most recent incident occurred Friday at 4:30 p.m. at Roosevelt and Virginia avenues near a school, police said.
A 14-year-old male student was walking home from school when a suspect drove up to him in a vehicle. The suspect asked for directions and then asked whether the boy wanted a ride home, according to police.
The boy said no and the suspect drove away. On Thursday at around 8:45 a.m., near Vera Avenue and Sapphire Street, a male suspect pulled up to a 15-year-old female student as she was walking to school. The suspect asked the teen for directions, before offering to drive her to school. When the girl refused, the suspect drove away, police said.
On Wednesday a similar incident occurred at around 6 p.m. near Sequoia High School. A different 15-year-old female student was leaving campus when a suspect drove up to her and asked her for directions.The suspect then offered the student a ride. When the teen declined, the suspect drove off, according to police.
On Jan. 15, at around 9:30 a.m., a 15-year-old male student was walking near Red Morton Park when a suspect drove up to him and asked for directions. The suspect offered the teen a ride and when he refused, the suspect drove off.
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All of the teens approached gave slightly different descriptions, resulting in three different sketches, but police believe they are all the same man.
In all three cases, the suspect is described as either a white or Hispanic male driving a blue or dark-colored, four-door vehicle. The vehicle may be a Honda or Toyota. Police also said the suspect may be in his 30s with dark hair and a mustache.
"The primary thing we want to let everyone know is that we've had delayed reporting in every instance," Osborne said. "If you see something, call 911 immediately."
Schools have been aklerted and police are asking anyone with a camera to take a picture if they think they recognize the suspect or his car.
"We'd like to get a license plate or video to help us identify this individual," Osborne said.
Anyone with information about the incidents is asked to contact Detective Joe O'Gorman at (650) 780-7147.
