School officials warn parents of driver who followed elementary students home

KENMORE, Wash. - The Northshore School District is giving a warning to parents in some Kenmore neighborhoods about a man who repeatedly followed elementary students home and, in one instance, tried to grab a girl's arm. 

The incident has left parents like Curtis Paris unnerved. He lives on the same very street the attempted abduction happened.

"To hear something like that happen, not only in our neighborhood, but almost directly near our house is just scary," said Paris. "It’s a quiet neighborhood, we don’t have crime. It just doesn’t happen. I don’t think we’ve even had a porch pirate come through the neighborhood ever."

Neighbors tell FOX 13 News, they are alarmed by brazen nature of this attempted abduction. The incident happened in broad daylight, 3:30 p.m. on December 15. School had just let out for winter break.

"I feel like it was the last day of school and somebody got desperate. Maybe was like I have to do it now or never," said Paris. "We’re hoping that person never comes back here again."

Children noticed a man in a white Tesla was waiting in his car by a bridge near Arrowhead Elementary School and then followed a group of students walking to their neighborhood.

The children told their parents that the same car had followed them for a number of days, but police found out when a child reported to her parents that the man tried to grab her arm, which made her cry. 

She told officers that the man was bad and had tattoos. 

"Our students did exactly the right thing to be aware of their surroundings and report this incident to their parents. I'm proud of them and, like you, very concerned for our students' safety. Please share what you feel is appropriate for your own children so that they have the information they need to be safe," Arrowhead principal Kirstin Bailey. 

The district recommends the following safety tips for students.

• Do not walk alone. Walk in groups of two or more.
• Never get into a vehicle with a stranger – fight, shout, scream, kick, bite, run, and tell.
• Never take anything a stranger offers you – do not accept candy, food, or money from a stranger.
• Do not walk alone in the dark.
• Stay away from remote places – do not go alone into deserted buildings, empty parking lots, or places where there are few people around.
• Remain on school grounds during school hours.
• Immediately tell a trusted adult about any suspicious activities or people.
• If you see something, say something.

The King County Sheriff's Office released the following statement:

"The incident is still under investigation to determine the vehicle and driver of the vehicle. KCSO Major Crimes Detectives are actively investigating this and contacting residents, looking for additional witnesses as well as looking for video.  As this is an active and open investigation this is all I can release at this time. We are asking for the communities help in this.  If you or anyone you know has information about this event you are asked to contact the King County Sheriff’s Office at: Major Crimes tip line at (206) 263-2090or email mcutips@kingcounty.gov."

This is a developing story.