Woman attempts to lure child into van

Child refused to engage with suspect and was able to safely get away

NORRISTOWN >> Norristown Area School District superintendent Christopher Dormer alerted school district parents and guardians of an attempted child luring that occurred around 8:20 Friday morning.

According to Dormer, a green van with tinted windows driven by a male and with a female passenger approached a child at E. Marshall and Walnut streets.The female passenger offered the child money and candy to get into the van. The child continued walking and the woman exited the

van and approached the child, repeating the offer of candy and money. The child ran away and the woman got back into the van and the vehicle drove away.

Norristown Police Department was notified and are conducting an investigation. Neighboring police departments from East Norriton and West Norriton townships were also notified.

“Our students’ safety is the top priority of our school district,” Dormer said in a recorded message.

Deputy Chief Captain Richard Clowser of the Norristown Police Department confirmed that the NPD is actively investigating the incident. And he also noted that a potential tragedy was averted because of the quick-thinking of the child.

“The child in this situation did the right thing,” Clowser said. “(The child) refused to engage with the suspects, ran away, and then most importantly told someone about the incident so we can investigate.”

Anyway with information about the attempted child luring should contact Norristown Police Department at 610-270-0977 or to report an anonymous tip, contact the anonymous crime tip line at 610-278-TIPS (8477) or NPDTips@norristown.org.