Parents in the Crescent Hill community are being told to be on the lookout for a man who police believe may be stalking children.
Police are investigating two incidents that were reported last week.
A letter went home with students Friday, informing parents about an incident that happened nearby in which a student reported that he had to run away from a man who followed him for several blocks.
School officials also say that someone fitting the same description was spotted behaving in a suspicious manner while driving a pick-up truck.
The walk home from school nearly became a nightmare for a student at Barret Traditional School late last week.
The boy says a strange man lurked almost within arm's reach, following him as he changed directions several times.
“This guy was determined enough that he stuck with the kid until the child decided to take off running,” said Dave Kasten, the father of a student at Emmet Field Elementary School, who received a letter about the incident.
“As soon as you hear about something like this, obviously, you sit your child down and you talk to them and let them know that there's somebody out there looking to harm you,” Kasten said.
“We are always, whenever we receive any kind of information, on heightened alert, so that we can ensure that everyone’s basically watching,” said Emmet Field Principal Susan French.
The letter says that the suspect was a white man with dark curly hair. He was of medium height and build and walks with a limp.
The letter says that police say the description matches that of a man reported earlier in the same area.
That man was reportedly behaving suspiciously in a pick-up truck.
Parents say the suspect could easily blend in and target youngsters in the neighborhood, which has several schools.
“You can see how residential this neighborhood is,” Kasten said, pointing to nearby homes. “These are family homes here and these kids walk to school.”
Parents are also being warned to remind their children about "stranger danger".
“Being aware of their surroundings, walking with partners, staying in groups. and talking to a trusted adult are all important,” said French..
Parents and school employees hope the suspect is caught before any other child is targeted.
“This guy's still out on the street and he had several days when something could have happened,” said Kasten. Police say they are stepping up patrols in the neighborhood.
They ask anyone with information about the identity of the suspect to contact their tip line at 574-LMPD.
