On September 1, 2011 at 3:00 p.m. a ten-year-old boy was walking south on the east side of Hartford Street when a man in a tan midsize SUV pulled up to the boy. The driver, a Hispanic male with long hair and a braided goatee, asked the boy his name. The boy told him his name. The man then asked him where he lived. The boy recalled seeing a school flier involving a 13-year-old girl who was grabbed two days before and started running along Hartford to his Grandmother’s house to get away. The man drove past the boy turned down a side street and drove away. Another boy who was skateboarding in the area confirmed seeing the car pull and stop by the boy.
Attached is the composite of the man police are now considering a person of interest. There is no evidence to support this most recent incident is in any way associated with prior similar incidents.
We encourage anyone with any information regarding these type of incidents to contact the Chandler Police Department at (480) 782-4130. The Chandler Police Department has continued to increase patrols in neighborhoods, around schools and parks. Detectives have received over 40 tips that are being followed up.
Chandler Police cannot emphasize enough the importance of children walking and playing in groups, being accompanied by parents or guardians and always avoiding contact with strangers.