The NLCRPD has completed an investigation that drew social media attention on a what was interpreted as a potential threat to children utilizing the Warwick Rail Trail system. The conclusion of the investigation determined there was no criminal intent associated with the reported acts and a well-intentioned act was interpreted as a potential threat to children.

NLCRPD received several reports concerning possible child luring at the rails-to-trail entrance on Oak Street. Some calls were just made (to include the initial witness) informing NLCRPD of the intent of the caller to simply make the NLCRPD aware of the scenario that created what the callers interpreted as suspicious activities or circumstances of potential threats to the safety of children. The basic call scenario or similar versions of the call alleged that a black male exited a new Mercedes with New York plates, parked at the entrance of the rail trail, and approached small children on the trail that were riding bike ahead of their mother. The male said something to the children and began pointing towards their mother. The mother was unable to hear what was said and the children could not understand him. The mother was concerned as he approached them and got within an arm’s length of the kids as she was trying to catch up to them. The male quickly returned to his vehicle and left the scene as the mother approached.

The vehicle’s license plate was later photographed after social media posts reporting the incident as a potential possible child luring/trafficking. The Mercedes was registered to a resident of Bronx, NY. NLCRPD Criminal Investigators conducted a follow up investigation and identified the owner of the vehicle and was the male that was reportedly an occupant of the vehicle. He acknowledged being the male that approached the children. He recalled seeing small children on the trail approaching the roadway, while their mother “was at least 10 yards away pushing a pram”. He further reported he became concerned that the children would go into the roadway and quickly exited the vehicle and yelled that the children were going too fast and pointed in the direction of their mother and told the kids to wait for their mom. He then returned to his vehicle and left. NLCRPD investigators thanked the subject for his concern for the safety of the children and cooperation with the investigation in providing a plausible explanation of the chain of events.

NLCRPD investigators also spoke with the original complainant, who agreed that the male subject’s explanation was plausible and that it made sense. He explained that the “lack of engagement” when his wife approached made things concerning but that understanding the possible language and cultural differences made his concerns go away. The NLCRPD criminal investigator assigned to the follow up investigation function provided a summary of the NLCRPD investigative outcome to the Lititz Borough Police Department who received similar reports. In addition to the response of the NLCRPD criminal investigators to the incident the NLCRPD directed patrol services response applied bicycle patrol resources and other efforts to the area of the rail trail to mitigate any potential threats that were perceived until there was a clarification of the actual scenario.

NLCRPD Incident Numbers: 86-21-05143/86-21-05119/86-21-05090