Crime & Safety

Stranger Tries to Lure Lynbrook Student Into Car

School District issues warning to parents following Monday's incident.

A man in his forties approached a female Lynbrook student Monday afternoon, and attempted to coax her to get into his car.

The encounter happened on Atlantic Avenue, according to Lynbrook Schools Interim Superintendent Melissa Burak, who sent letters home and posted them on the district's Web site to alert parents.

The suspect, who was driving a black Lexus, requested the girl get into his vehicle. Another student from Lynbrook High School was also approached while walking from the Phillips Plaza area by a man driving a van. Both sought help immediately and the Lynbrook Police Department was notified.

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This is not the first time Burak has had to send letters like this home this year.

"These incidents are occurring more frequently than we woud like," she stated.

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Last month, Lynbrook Police reported that a black male in his thirties or forties asked an 11-year-old boy who was walking northbound on Union Avenue at Scranton Avenue to get into his car. The suspect, who was behind the wheel of a tan Toyota 4-Runner, asked the boy, “Do you know where the plumbing supply is?” and “Can you get in my car and show me?” The questions alarmed the child, who ran from the scene to a family member’s home. The suspect had short hair, brown eyes, and a Jamaican accent.

Then, in early October, A 14-year-old girl reported that while riding her bicycle southbound on Union Avenue with her friend, another 14-year-old female, a white male in dark blue sedan waved to them near Scranton Avenue. As the two girls continued southbound to Marion Street and then toward Dean Street, the same vehicle drove past them and stopped in the middle of the street. As one of the girls attempted to pass the car, the driver engaged her in conversation and then exposed himself to her before fleeing eastbound on Marion Street.

The suspect appeared to be 25 years old, 5’9” tall, 150 lbs, thin build, with a black crew cut hair and light complexion. He was wearing a red baseball cap.

Burak advised parents to speak to their children about how to stay safe when they are out in the area, referring them to the following sites for resources that can help them have this conversation.

The schools chief also told parents that if they are aware of any other incidents or suspicious activity, they can report it anonymously using Reportit.com.


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