The number of child abduction attempts in the area continues to climb as area police agencies investigate at least three attempted child abductions in recent weeks.
Lakewood-Busti Police report that at 7:45 p.m. Thursday on Waldemere Way in Lakewood, a newer model black Chevrolet Tahoe with oversized tires, a brush guard and tinted windows pulled up to a child riding her scooter.
A white male, 6 feet 4 inches tall, weighing 240 pounds and wearing a baseball cap allegedly attempted to get the child into the vehicle.
Lakewood-Busti police ask anyone with any information to contact them at 763-9563.
On Friday, Chief John Bentley said police were checking several leads, taking statements from people who think they saw something and were contacting all residents in the neighborhood to see if they may have noticed anything suspicious that could help police track down whoever is responsible. He asked others who may have noticed anything to visit police at 20 W. Summit St.
The Jamestown Police Department also announced Friday it is seeking public assistance in identifying a person who attempted to entice young females into his vehicle at two locations in the city last month. Police have been searching for the vehicle, described as a large black SUV (possibly a Tahoe) with a lift kit, "fancy" lights and oversized tires. The city incidents mirror the latest reported in Lakewood on Friday. The Jamestown incidents occurred on East Second Street near Weeks Street and on North Main Street near Sixth Street.
Victims described the operator of the dark SUV as a Hispanic male. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Jamestown Police Department at 483-7537.
Although the description varied with one suspect described as Hispanic in one instance but white in another case, Bentley said police do not suspect two people, rather one with a dark complexion, stating descriptions are a matter of a victims' perception..
Jamestown police suggest adults supervise children closely and recommend they should walk with a friend. Bentley said parents and youth should be vigilant. If youth sense something is not right, they should walk away and never approach a vehicle. If feeling threatened, he said, they should make a lot of noise. Anything suspicious, he said, should be reported immediately to police. He urged people not to wait to report any suspicious incident, as someone for whom they may be looking could leave the area if police are not made aware as soon as possible.
The latest reports join earlier child abduction reports made this year.
In May, Corey Kimmy, 22, Brocton, was indicted by a Chautauqua County Grand Jury on second-degree attempted kidnapping and first-degree attempted rape in connection with an alleged attack of a 13-year-old girl May 19 on Central Avenue in Fredonia. Police said Kimmy, was charged after allegedly grabbing the girl off her bike and holding her to the ground. She escaped by fighting back. Kimmey pleaded not guilty.
A 40-year-old Ashville man was also taken to Warren County Jail recently on charges including stalking and luring a child. Police allege he tried to make contact with a female minor May 24 on Vine Street in North Warren. He was also charged by Warren-based state police in relation to a June 30, 2010, incident in Sugar Grove Borough when he allegedly approached an 11-year-old girl and tried to lure her into a nearby portable toilet.
