10-Year-Old Girls Enticed to Get in Van While Walking Home From Bayshore Elementary.

BRADENTON – Two 10-year-old two girls were walking home from school at Bayshore Elementary when they were enticed to get into a panel van. According to an MSO report, the students began walking through the parking lot in the 6000 block of 26th Street West. When a gray, full-size gray panel van with shiny wheels and a black stripe down the side, possibly ending in flames, came along side the two girls.

They described the driver as ”young looking“  Hispanic male, clean shaven with dark hair. He reportedly told the girls, "Come over and see what I've got!" He repeated his demand, and when the girls refused, yelled "Get in the van!" The girls then ran into the laundry mat at 6025 26th Street West for help.

The suspect fled toward the North end of the parking lot  No one was able to get a direction of travel from there, nor were they able to get a tag. Bayshore has been plagued with after school incidents. This school year, two older students have already been attacked, one raped and another sexually assaulted, though the police did make an arrest in that case after using a citizen’s security footage to track down the assailant. Anyone with information should call MSO at 941-747-3011.

Related: Recent Incidents Bring Role of Local Government in Child Safety to Forefront