STRANGER DANGER: Child Predator at Large in Salem Area

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call the Salem Police Department Youth Services Unit at 503-588-6257.

If you have information, Call the Salem Police Department Youth Services Unit at 503-588-6257.

(SALEM, Ore.) - Salem Police officers are investigating an incident where a 9-year old child reported that he was approached and grabbed by an unknown male.

The child was walking from his residence to a bus stop near the intersection of Stellars Eagle St NW and Bald Eagle NW at about 8:30 am this morning when he was approached by an unknown male adult who grabbed his arm.

The child was able to pull away from the suspect, who then pushed the child to the ground. The child was able to get up and run away as the suspect followed in his vehicle.

The child was eventually located walking along Highway 22 by an Oregon State Police trooper. The child sustained a scrape to his arm and was transported to Salem Health for evaluation.

The suspect in this case is described as a white male adult in his thirties with blue eyes and wearing a Boston Red Sox baseball cap. He was driving an old black and rusted vehicle that squealed when he drove.

The Salem Police Department would like to remind parents to have conversations with their children about "stranger danger."

Younger children should be in the company of a responsible adult whenever possible. When not under the supervision of an adult, children should stay in groups and be aware of their surroundings.

If they feel uncomfortable about their surroundings or people around them, they should immediately leave and contact a responsible adult. If approached by a stranger, children should not talk to them, accept rides or anything else from them and should immediately leave and report the incident to an adult.

Likewise, all of us should be aware of our surroundings and watch for suspicious activities and immediately report those activities to law enforcement.

When preparing to report suspicious circumstances, callers should note the type of activity, descriptions of all involved, any vehicle descriptions such as make, color and license plate, and any direct ion of travel if the subject has left the area.

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call the Salem Police Department Youth Services Unit at 503-588-6257.

Source: News Release from Salem Police Dept.