6 attempts to lure girls raise alarm in St. Paul

Some St. Paul residents are on edge after six incidents of strange men trying to lure young girls into vehicles were reported within the past two weeks.

The cases are a priority for police because the incidents are spread across the city and because of the sheer number. Police spokesman Officer John Keating said there are "notable differences" among the cases.

"We are aggressively working to identify who is involved," Keating said. "At this point, we don't know the men's intents."

No arrests have been made.

The most recent incident occurred Thursday on Syndicate Street between Portland and Summit Avenues. A 12-year-old girl was riding her bike about 6:15 p.m. when a man in his 30s drove up in a "boxy" white van or wagon. He asked her if she wanted to make money. The girl said no and biked away. The man yelled at her to return.

Teri Breton, who lives nearby, said she will be more vigilant with her children.

"We always felt a lot safer, and now we're scared," Breton said. "I don't know how to make sense of [the six cases]."

• Pay attention to surroundings.

• Walk in groups.

• Don't approach strangers.

• Call 911 about suspicious activity.

Tao Vang lives in Frogtown near one of the first attempted lurings and said that she's still scared. Vang makes sure she's accompanied by someone else when she leaves the house with her young daughter.

The other cases:

• Oct. 24: A 16-year-old girl was approached near 7th Street and Maria Avenue about noon by three men in a "beat-up" silver sedan. The men got out. One grabbed her arms but she pulled away and fled. The suspect is described as a light-skinned black man, 27 to 28 years old, with a heavy build.

• Oct. 27: A 12-year-old girl was approached by a man in a dark green, newer-looking van about 7:15 a.m. at Arundel Street and Charles Avenue. He offered her a ride to the bus stop. He got out and offered her the ride again. She fled. He is described as a dark-skinned black man about 50 with a beard and a baseball cap.

• Oct. 27: A 15-year-old girl was walking near Thomas Avenue and Virginia Street when a man in a white SUV stopped to ask her for directions. She approached and saw that he had exposed himself. He pointed a handgun at her and she fled. He is described as a tall, slender black man, about 40 to 50 years old, with a mustache and chin stubble. He was wearing a baseball hat and oval-shaped glasses.

• Oct. 29th: A 13-year-old girl was waiting for the bus at E. Baker Street and Oakdale Avenue about 7:30 a.m. when a man in an older white van stopped and asked if she wanted to wait in the van. He is described as a dark-skinned black man, about 45, balding on the sides and wearing wire-rimmed glasses.

• Nov. 4: The incident on Syndicate Street. The suspect is described as a white man in his 30s with short brown spiky hair and no facial hair.

Anyone with information can call police at 651-291-1111.