Police have released surveillance footage as they search for two men caught on camera flagging down a middle school student and trying to lure her into their van after she got off the bus in Newington last Friday.
Newington police said the school bus dropped off the student in the area of Eighth Street on Friday afternoon. The girl was walking home when two men in a minivan waved to her and made her uncomfortable.
An exclusive video provided to NBC Connecticut shows the moment when police said two men in a van approached a middle school student and tried to lure her inside.
Suzanne Battistini's son rides the school bus with the girl and said the girl is certain the men were up to something bad.
"She just said that they tried to kidnap her," Battistini said. ".... You can't trust anybody nowadays and that's a scary thought."
The girl didn't get in and ran home. She told family members, who in turn contacted police.
The incident has many parents in the Newington community on edge.
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"Everyone is scared. That’s like the worst thing that could happen… for your child to be abducted," Michael Krish, of Newington, said. ".... You hear about it, but it's actually happening here."
Police are working to find the van and identify the men involved.
Anyone with information was asked to call Newington police at 860-666-8445.
The National Crime Prevention Council offers tips to parents about keeping kids safe when they're not at home, like pointing out safe places so kids know where to head if they feel unsafe or danger strikes or telling kids to speak up when they feel there's danger.
"I never worry, honestly, I never worry," Lisa Alexander, of Newington, said. "Now I’m more on top of it. Who is out here?"
Parents are reminding their kids not to talk with strangers.
"Just go right home and not to stop to talk to people who are pulling over in cars or strangers," Karen Colossa, of Newington, said.
