City-Times Staff

The Stevens Point Police Department announced today it was investigating a possible attempted abduction which occurred on Tuesday.

The incident involved a 10 year-old Stevens Point boy who was walking along the 2700 block of Indiana Avenue around 7 PM when a newer model, grey- colored minivan pulled beside him.

The driver then asked the boy if he wanted to go to the Dollar Store.

The boy said no and the man behind the wheel drove away.

The boy described the man as approximately 40 years old with a “reddish” beard and was possibly wearing a grey hooded sweatshirt. The man did not say anything else to the boy and did not exit his vehicle or make any attempts to grab the boy.

According to a new release Thursday afternoon, SPPD officers immediately checked the area but were unable to locate the described van.  The department is looking for assistance from the public to help identify the driver of this vehicle as the man’s intentions are not known.

The Plover Police Department late Thursday also reported a number of different sightings of a similarly- described minivan driving in the vicinity of Roosevelt Elementary. Those reports indicate the windows were tinted dark and the drive reportedly made no contact with anyone. Police say they aren’t certain if it’s related to the report from Stevens Point, but are asking parents to review safety plans and stranger danger with their children.

Contact the Portage Co. Sheriff’s Office at 715-346-1400 or Crime Stoppers at 1-888-346-6600 with tips. Detective Sgt. Joe Gruber at SPPD can also be contacted at  715-346-1518.