Police Report - March 17, 2016

Burlington Police Investigating Suspicious Vehicle Approaching Children

BURLINGTON -- Chief Michael R. Kent reports that the Burlington Police Department is investigating reports that a suspicious man in a vehicle approached a child near a bus stop.

As a result, Burlington Police are urging residents and parents to be on the lookout for an older model green Cadillac car driven by a white male, likely in his mid-60s.

Yesterday, at approximately 3:05 p.m., a 6-year-old boy told his mother that he was approached by a man in an "older green car" near the intersection of Gedick and Gibson roads. The man allegedly asked the boy's name and where he lived. The children ran home and told his mother who called Burlington Police.

Police responded to the area and talked to two other children who said that they had seen an older model green Cadillac car, either two or four doors. 

A license plate was subsequently called in by an off-duty officer but an investigation determined that this was not the suspect vehicle, and that this vehicle had not been in the area of theWednesday incident.

Burlington Police are investigating the incident and have taken the following additional measures:

• Additional patrols around school bus stops indefinitely 

• Additional patrols near schools during arrival and dismissal indefinitely 

• Messaging to surrounding cities and towns, letting their police departments know about the incident and the suspect vehicle

• Alerting public and media

Additionally, Chief Kent and Superintendent of Schools Eric Conti are encouraging parents to have frank and honest discussions with their children about strangers and safety while walking to and from school or the bus stop. 

"The safety of our children priority number one, and we want to get this message out to the public to ensure that people have their eyes open at all times," Chief Kent said. "Anyone who sees anything suspicious is urged to contact Burlington Police right away."

If anyone sees anything suspicious or has any information on Wednesday incident, they are urged to contact Burlington Police Youth Services Officer Steve Cross at 781-272-1212.