By: Channel 9 Eyewitness News
news@kcautv.com
The Sioux County Sheriff's Office would like to remind the public of a few personal and child safety tips due to the recent reports of a suspicious person and attempted abductions that have occurred in Lyon, Dickinson and Clay Counties.
]Take the time to discuss with your children about "Stranger Danger". Remember that kids often forget these things, so remind them often. Tell them to make sure they let a teacher or other adult know about anyone or anything that they see that is suspicious if they are not with you.
]Always be observant and aware of your surroundings and vehicles that are near you. Don't become too complacent or involved in your day to day activities that you don't notice things that are out of place.
]Pay attention to suspicious people or activity and immediately call 911 if you see anyone matching descriptions of the recent incidents outlined below.
]Make sure you tell your family and friends that may not read this about the incidents that have recently occurred so they too, can be aware.
]Remember that suspects often change clothing, vehicles and locations so there is no set rule on what to exactly watch for. These are public safety reminders for you and your families to use to increase your awareness and be thinking to report any suspicious activity when you or your children see it.
The first incident on Tuesday happened in Spencer, IA at around 9:30 a.m. Witnesses reported a suspicious vehicle approached a grade school on the south end of Spencer. Spencer Police later said that a man approached two students, rolled his window down and said, "Come here."
The second incident on Tuesday happened in Sheldon, IA around 9:30 p.m. In this incident, two teenage girls reported that as they were walking in the downtown area of Sheldon, an older male driving an older style silver minivan with a dent in the back passenger side panel yelled at them. The driver then parked the vehicle and watched them. These girls described the man as having shaggy hair.
Be aware that the driver was also described as possibly being 60]70 years old, having facial hair like a beard or mustache, with shaggy or longer hair and could be wearing a colored baseball cap. The suspect's vehicle in these incidents is described as an older Dodge Caravan or similar make with a dent in the far back passenger side, and the back two windows are possibly tinted very dark.
Sheriff
Dan Altena
Sioux County Sheriff's Office
4363 Ironwood Ave., Ste. 1
Orange City, IA 51041 Office (712) 737]2280 Fax (712) 737]8185
The Lyon County Sheriff's Office is investigating an attempted abduction of a 61 year old woman from outside her home in Little Rock, IA around noon on Wednesday, September 1. The Lyon County Sheriff's Office is searching for a white male in his 60s who has graying brown hair and a matching beard. He is about 6' to 6'2" tall and weighs around 250 pounds. He was driving an older, dark colored car with a white top. If you have any information in this incident, contact the Lyon County Sheriff's Office at (712) 472]8300.
*In two other possible related incidents, on Sept 3 and 4, a male matching the same description above driving a white Ford panel van with both rear windows blacked out, approached two different females on separate occasions in Lake Park, IA and attempted to entice them into the van. If anyone has any information on the Lake Park incidents, please call the Lake Park Police Department at (712) 336]2525.
PRESS RELEASE
The previous incidents took place in Little Rock, IA and Lake Park, IA and are summarized below:
The two latest incidents regarding the attempted abductions and suspicious person took place on Tuesday, September 11 and is summarized here:
