PROSPECT PARK, Pa. (KYW Newsradio) — Police in Delaware County have arrested a man who they say was trying to lure young girls into his car this week.
Prospect Park police chief David Madonna says his department received a call on Tuesday that a man had approached two young girls as they were walking home from Prospect Park Elementary School.
“A young man rolled down his windows, spoke to them, said some pretty inappropriate things, things that no one should say to an 11-year-old,” he said.
On Friday, police identified the suspect as 19-year-old Tyler Boyle of Aldan. Madonna says Boyle is known to law enforcement after a prior arrest in Darby Township last March.
Detectives were able to track Boyle through a partial tag and surveillance video that police received from community members.
“We then were able to put that into our license plate reader system. We access cameras across the county, and we obtained the full plate near the suspect’s home,” Madonna explained.
Related
He says this incident serves as a good reminder for parents to speak with their children about talking with people whom they don’t know.
“Just keep in their minds that ... if you don't know this person, just keep walking. You don't have to engage an adult just because they're an adult,” he said.
“But I think it's also important to reemphasize that from time to time this is not a one and done conversation you need to have; this is something you should have on a continual basis.”
However, Madonna says, the situation could have ended worse than it did.
“I don't believe he had any business being in that area,” he said, “so in my mind, this was targeted.”