Suspicious Incident Reported Near Merino School

Merino, Colorado – On October 11^th, 2012, Logan County Deputies were dispatched to Merino in reference to a suspicious incident.  An 11 year old female reported being chased by an adult male to school. 

During the incident, the female advised that while walking to school, she heard footsteps behind her.  When she looked back, she observed a white male, approximately 40-50 years old, bald, with a grey beard and medium build.  The male was dressed in a blue t-shirt and blue jean shorts.  It appeared to her that the male was running towards her.  The male did not say or yell anything at her. 

The female reported running to school and observed the male run north from the location of the school.  Deputies that were dispatched to the call checked the area and did not find anyone matching that description.  A neighborhood canvas was completed in regards to the incident. 

We are asking for any information that the public may have concerning the male or other suspicious incidents in the Merino area.  Please contact Investigator Mike Archer or Deputy Matt Williams with any further information. 

School officials were notified of the incident. 

Many are well aware of the abduction case in the metro area, attempted abduction in Wyoming, and recent reports in Logan County of suspicious incidents. The Logan County Sheriff’s Office urges parents to review the following tips in preventing child abductions and to teach their children about stranger safety: 

• Children should never talk to strangers. Explain to them that a stranger is anyone they don’t know.
• If they are home alone, they shouldn't answer the door or tell anyone on the phone that they are alone.
• Always make sure you know where your child is and who they are with.
• Children should never go into a house with a friend that is unknown to the parent or accept rides from friends who are not known to the parent.
• Teach children not to be vulnerable to "lure tactics" such as someone approaching the child, acting very sad, and asking the child to please help find his missing pet. Help them to understand that adults should never be approaching and asking children for help.

• Children and parents should agree on a code word to be used by anyone other than the parent who would be sent to pick up a child in case of an emergency.
• We know that it is important that your children know their address and phone number, but be sure that they know never to give out the information to strangers.
• If the child is being followed by a vehicle, he should quickly turn around and run in the opposite direction to a place of safety. It will take someone in a vehicle some time to get turned around, hopefully allowing the child time to get to safety.
• Never leave your child alone in a public place, stroller or car.
• Always accompany younger children to a public restroom.
• Always accompany your child on door-to-door activities, i.e. Halloween, school fundraising campaigns, etc.
• Establish a routine for picking your children up from school or other events.
• Teach your child how to reach you (home, office, mobile)
• Teach your child how to call the police.
• Have a plan in case your child gets separated from you in public.
• Teach your child to stay in groups of friends when going anywhere .
• Tell your children about child abductions in simple and easy to understand terms. Awareness can help them protect themselves.
• Avoid clothing and toys with your child's name on it. A child may not fear someone who knows his/her name.
• Let your child know that you will pick them up at any time, any place.
• Urge your child to think escape / survival if he or she were ever abducted.
• Speak to your local law enforcement agency to find out about neighborhood watch.
• Check with your local law enforcement or visit the web to find out if there are sexual offenders in your area.
• Keep up-to-date medical/dental history and finger print cards.  Contact the Logan County Sheriff’s Office or Sterling Police Department for Child ID kits.
• Teach your child that there is always someone to help them, and they have the right to be safe.
• If approached by someone who makes the child uncomfortable, the child should immediately run away and make noise, drawing attention to his or her situation. Rather than just screaming, the child should shout something specific such as "stranger – get away from me – leave me alone – this is not my parent – help."
• If followed or made uncomfortable in any way, the child should always tell you or another adult right away.
• If the child is attacked for something of value that he has, he should immediately give it up rather than risk harm.
• Consider role playing with your children using scenarios that they could face and what basic safety precautions they should use.
• Make sure that your children know that they can always discuss with you things that cause them concern or make them feel uncomfortable.
• Most importantly, establish a relationship with your child where they are comfortable coming to you with anything.

Take the time to ensure that your children know good basic child safety precautions which will make them less likely to be the victim of these types of crime