Photo: Van that's similar to the one described by the children.
On Thursday, January 11, a parent reported to Tigard Police that their child was approached by a stranger in a vehicle while walking home from school. The incident occurred at approximately 2:35 p.m. in the vicinity of 93rd and Inez St. in Tigard, just blocks away from Templeton Elementary School.
The child stated that while walking, a white van traveling the opposite direction stopped and asked if they needed a ride home. The child recalled that the driver, an adult white male, remained behind the wheel and spoke out of the passenger window. The child immediately ran from the van and arrived at a safe location unharmed.
Tigard Police are also investigating a similar incident which occurred on January 3 near Mary Woodward Elementary School in Tigard. In that incident, a child reported a white man stopped and offered a ride. The vehicle was also described as a white work-type van with tinted windows The child also added the windows were tinted and tarps covered the rear windows. Tigard Police received numerous tips however none lead to the likely vehicle.
Although both incidents contain similarities; Tigard investigators cannot confirm the suspect and the van are the same.
Tigard Police is asking the help of residents who reside in the area of today's incident to check if any video surveillance may be available which reveals a white van. Tips can be provided by calling 503-718-COPS (2677) or via email at: tips@tigard-or.gov