Wolcott residents are on alert as police investigate a possible attempted abduction of a child. All of this happening just steps away from an elementary school and the police department.
Shortly before 6pm Saturday, Wolcott Police say they received a call that a blue minivan stopped on the opposite side of the street in front of a Woodtick Road home where two boys, an 8-year-old and 10-year-old were playing in the front yard. The man got out of the vehicle and approached the boys.
"He held his hand out, and he offered the children something they believed to be candy. They're not positive what he said," said Wolcott Police Chief Edward Stephens.
Authorities say a parent called for the boys to come inside for the day and did not see the man or his van. The two came in and told her what happened. Police do not know the man's intentions.
"He didn't chase them or try to grab them, but we're going to take this seriously as if it were an attempted abduction," said Stephens.
Police say the suspect is a 6' tall male in his mid-30s. He has short brown hair and a thick brown beard. He's described as having a thin build with a large stomach and a tattoo on the underside of his right wrist.
He was seen wearing a white long-sleeve t-shirt and green camouflage shorts. Authorities say he was last seen driving south on Woodtick Road towards Waterbury.
Police believe the suspect was alone in the van, and they're asking people in the area to use caution.
"You want to keep your children safe, and we're going to make sure we keep the kids safe," said Stephens.
If you have any information about the person or the van, you're asked to contact Wolcott Police at 203-879-1414.
