The Lancaster Bureau of Police have responded to (3) incidents involving an unknown male chasing, following or harassing SDOL students on their way to or from school in the NW section of Lancaster City.

On Monday October 21, 2019 at approximately 1541 hrs. a call was received that an unknown male chased a student and her siblings for approximately ½ block on the 500 blk. W. Walnut St. The suspect was on foot and was last seen in an alley that parallels W. Walnut St. Officers checked the area but did not locate anyone.

On Wednesday October 23, 2019 at approximately 0745 hrs. a student was walking on the 200 blk. W. James St. when she noticed that an unknown male was walking behind her. The male stopped following when he saw that she was using her cell phone. The student called a family member that lived in the area of the 400 blk. N. Concord St. That family member came out and checked the area but did not see anyone. That incident was reported to Police at 1302 hrs.

On Wednesday October 23, 2019 at approximately 1527 hrs. the same student reported that she saw the same male on a bike and that he followed the students and made comments to them that he had candy. The student and a friend ran towards the Boys & Girls Club/ Linear Park area and last saw the male on the 200 blk. W. Lemon St. This incident started near the intersection of W. James St. and N. Mulberry St. The students last saw the male on westbound W. Lemon St. near N. Mulberry St. Officers checked the area but did not locate the suspect.

 Both LSC and Franklin & Marshall Public Safety were contacted to check their cameras in the area from all (3) incidents. No video images of the suspect were found.

In the (3) incidents reported to Police similarities in the descriptions provided were that the suspect was a White male, adult (description of age varies), approximately 5’10”, thin build, short brown hair with facial hair.

Over the past (2) days Officers and Detectives conducted uniformed and plainclothes details in the area in an attempt to locate and identify the suspect. No one has been identified and no additional reports have been made since October 23, 2019. Officers will continue to have an increased presence in the area.

Our department has been in communication with SDOL administration and school Principals to keep them appraised of the investigation.

If any students in the NW section of Lancaster City experienced a similar incident but did not report it to Police, we would urge them to come forward to file a report with our department.

Some tips for staying safe while walking:

• Stay alert to your surroundings. Do not become distracted by electronic devices. Avoid wearing headphones.
• Walk in pairs or groups
• Alter your route.
• Don’t take shortcuts. Stick to main roads that are more heavily traveled and visible.
• If you sense that you are being followed, go to an area where others are gathered. Call Police (911 for emergencies and 717-664-1180 for non-emergencies) or find a trusted adult.
• Do not accept anything from strangers
• Do not accept rides from strangers.