A total of three incidents have taken place in Geneva, which have police investigating – and the community on edge. A total of three students have encountered a male attempting to abduct or lure them to a van.
After the report of an attempted abduction on Monday the Geneva Police Department has received the report of a suspicious condition, which occurred in the area of Carter Road on Wednesday at approximately 3:08 p.m.
An 11-year-old male student was walking in the area and observed a taller white male, approximately 30 to 40 years of age wearing all black clothing with a black half-mask covering his face, standing next to a black minivan with a large scratch on the driver’s side door.
Police say the student reported that the male was watching him, which made the student concerned for his safety. The tall male did not approach the student, nor say anything to him. The student left the area and reported the incident to an adult at an after-school program at which time the Geneva Police Department was notified of the incident.
While conducting the investigation into the above report, information was gained of a third incident, which took place on Tuesday at approximately 3:00 p.m. in the area of Sherrill Street and Bell Avenue.
An 11-year-old male student while walking home from school encountered a tall white male wearing khaki pants, a sweater and a ski mask who exited a black minivan and stated “Come here.”
The student immediately ran from the area and went home. This incident was not reported to the police at the time of occurrence.
Due to the two incidents which were reported today, the Geneva Police Department is encouraging all residents and students to be on the lookout for any suspicious persons or vehicles matching the description of what has been reported.
The Geneva Police Department said the following in a statement after the string of incidents were reported:
“For those that have school aged children we would encourage parents/guardians to take the opportunity to speak to their children about the recent reports and to make them aware of strangers and suspicious behavior. If feasible, we would also encourage parents/guardians who have students who walk to or from school arrange for alternative transportation. If that cannot be done, children should walk in groups and not by themselves if possible. The Geneva Police Department would like the community to remain calm but also be vigilant at all times.”
“As always, the safety of our children is of the utmost importance and the Geneva Police Department will continue to investigate these reports fully and thoroughly as we have done since the initial report on Monday. If anyone has information or sees anything suspicious please contact 911 immediately.”
Police: Teen escapes attempted kidnapper in Geneva, suspect remains at-large
Police say that on Monday around 3:21 p.m. they were dispatched to an attempted abduction involving a 13-year-old victim.
While walking home from the Geneva Middle School, the victim observed a black Toyota Sienna minivan in the area of Carter Road, Oak Street, High Street, and Pulteney Street.
The victim continued walking on Pulteney Street in the area of William Street when the vehicle parked behind the victim. At that point, a male, who stood about 6-feet tall, wearing a black, hooded sweatshirt and orange cloth work gloves grabbed the victims hand.
The suspect didn’t say anything to the victim. However, the victim was able to get away and run to safety at a nearby residence. Police say the minivan had a large scratch on the hood or front end.
The last known location of the male and vehicle was the area of Pulteney and William streets, traveling in an unknown direction after the encounter.
The race and age of the suspect is unknown, according to police. The Geneva Police Department is searching the surrounding area, and looking for surveillance footage that could help identify that person.
No other reports of that kind were received on Monday, according to police.
Anyone with information is urged to call Detective Colton at (315) 828-6779.
