Springfield Police Respond to Report of Attempted Luring

Springfield police have increased patrols in residential neighborhoods following a reported attempt to lure a 9-year-old into a car.

On Saturday, Nov. 12, two men in a black sedan reportedly slowed their car near a 9-year-old boy playing the front yard of a house on Cottler Ave. The car’s passenger asked the boy if he wanted a ride.

When the boy said no, the passenger asked for the boy’s name. The boy ran off and the vehicle left the area. Police say the occupants were described as Caucasian males in their late teens or early twenties. 

Police emphasized that the boy was not harmed and that there is some ambiguity about the suspects’ intent. Nonetheless, Springfield police are taking action. 

“This type of incident is referred to as luring but aside from the verbal comments there was no attempt to go after or grab onto the boy,” Detective Sgt. Judd Levenson said in an email. “This may be nothing more than teenagers playing a prank but the police department’s detectives have issued alerts to all Springfield patrol officers and to police departments throughout the state”

Springfield Chief of Police John Cook said that police patrols, both in marked and unmarked police vehicles, would be increased in residential areas. He said that residents should report anything suspicious to the police.

“Parents are reminded to continue to stress to their children that they should never approach a person or occupied vehicle and if approached, such as in this incident, they should run away and immediately notify a parent,” Cook said.