On Sunday February 12, 2017, at 2:31 p.m., North Precinct officers responded to Khunamokwst Park (pronounced KAHN-ah-mockst), located at 5200 Northeast Alberta Street, on the report that a man offered two young girls money to get into his car.
Officers contacted the 10 and 11 year old girls at one of their homes in the area. The girls reported to police that they were walking home on Alberta Court from the park and noticed a man driving behind them. The girls told police that the man waved money at them and asked them to come to his car. The girls ran away, told one of their mothers and called police.
The girls described the man as a black male, 34 years old, medium brown skin, beard, heavy set, wearing black clothing and smelling of marijuana. The girls described the vehicle as an older, beat up, dirty silver car missing lights on the rear, no license plates, and driver's side door damage.
While officers were taking this report, they received a second report from a 9-year-old girl in the area stating that she was approached by a man offering her money out his car window, near a church at Northeast 56th Avenue and Alberta Street. She described the man as a black male in his 20s, thin build, short curly hair, wearing a baseball cap. The car was described as an old white car, with plastic tape over a back window.
Officers learned a fourth person, a 55-year-old woman, was approached in a similar fashion as she walked her grandchildren home. The woman told police that the man waved money out the window as he licked his lips. She described the suspect vehicle as an older gray Honda.
At this point, no suspect or suspects have been identified and it is not certain that all three incidents are the same person, although the neighborhood and activity is very similar.
Anyone witnessing a luring-type incident is asked to immediately call 9-1-1 and provide as much information as possible. If any residents in the area of this incident have residential surveillance cameras, investigators are asking them to check recordings for any possible images of the suspect.
The Portland Police Bureau would like to remind parents to talk to their children about "stranger danger" to keep them safe.
Some excellent tips from the National Crime Prevention Council about stranger danger are available at https://www.ncpc.org/topics/violent-crime-and-personal-safety/strangers The Portland Police Bureau Strength programs provide free self-defense classes and personal safety workshops to people around the Portland area.
To learn more information about Strength Programs, call 503-823-0260 or visit http://www.portlandonline.com/police/womenstrength