Sylvania Police are looking for a suspect that attempted to pick up a 9-year-old boy on his way home from school.
Police said a male suspect initially drove past the student, then turned around and asked if he needed a ride. Luckily, the boy knew what to do: He said no and ran away.
"Say no, get away, tell someone," said Maplewood Elementary Principal Ed Eding. "I would add to that, if you're walking home from school, walk home with a group of kids."
Eding sent out an email warning Maplewood parents of what happened. He said he wants everyone to be alert.
"I don't want to ease their fears," he said. "I want them to be worried about strangers that are coming around in their area."
Police said an attempted abduction is unusual for Sylvania. They want people to look for a man driving a windowless white van with a blue ladder on top. They also urge parents to talk to their kids about what to do in a similar situation.
"The most important thing they can do is yell," said Sgt. Justin Music of the Sylvania Police Department. "Scream for help, and run away."
Police will be keeping a closer eye on the neighborhood.
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Sylvania Police are looking for a suspect that attempted to pick up a 9-year-old boy on his way home from school.
