Police: Man Tries To Lure Children Into Pickup Truck On Long Island

BELLMORE, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- Police are looking for a man who they said tried to lure two young children into his pickup truck on Long Island.

The incidents occurred Tuesday afternoon in Bellmore and nearby North Merrick.

In the first case, police said a man in an older model white pickup truck tried to wave over an 11-year-old girl on Oak Street around 3 p.m. The girl became frightened and ran off.

About 15 minutes later, police said the same man told a 10-year-old boy walking on Dewey Avenue to get in the truck. The boy also ran away.

The incidents occurred near the Martin Avenue and Park Avenue elementary schools.

Schools Superintendent Marie Testa said they are working closely with the police and will also go over proper safety protocols with students.

Parents are now on high alert.

Patrice Jennings, a mother of seven, said she wasn't aware of the recent incidents, but said she always tells her children what to do if approached by a stranger.

"Strangers should never ask a child for help," she said. "I tell them if a car ever pulls up, they don't go near it, and then they go in the opposite direction and they go towards a crowd, they go towards other moms."

The suspect is described as a white man wearing a red and black baseball cap with the letter 'B' on it.  No further description is available.

Detectives ask anyone with information to contact the First Squad at 516-573-6153.

All callers will remain anonymous.