ORLANDO, Fla. – Orlando police officers are investigating two suspicious incidents near Boone High School Wednesday after receiving reports of a man approaching female students.
Orlando police said they received the first report on Wednesday morning. A female student told officers that a man approached her Tuesday around 3 p.m. and asked the student if she could provide directions to Boone High School. When she approached the vehicle, she noticed the man was touching himself sexually, according to an Orlando Police Department release.
Investigators said a second similar incident happened Tuesday around 2:30 p.m.
A 14-year-old girl told officers she was walking home when a man that seemed to be in his 40s in a white pickup truck approached her and asked for directions. The girl said the man asked her twice while she was walking by Delaney Avenue and Harding Street, according to an OPD release.
The girl said the man then asked her to come with him. Officers said the student then quickly walked away after feeling uncomfortable with the situation.
Police are now looking to see if there could be other victims.
Orange County Public Schools is asking parents to discuss stranger danger with their students. School officials are asking parents to remind their children to always be aware of their surroundings, encourage students to walk in pairs or in groups when walking to or from school or the bus stop.
“Parents, we were made aware of two incidents that occurred this week of strangers approaching students while walking home from school. Thankfully, both students are safe and immediately reported the incidents,” principal Dusty Johns said in a recorded message. “We are working with the Orlando police department, who is investigating.”
The school district is reminding students that if they see anything suspicious at or near their school they can report it using the Fortify Florida app or call the Speak Out Hotline at 1-800-423-TIPS.