GILBERT, Ariz. - The Gilbert Police Department is asking for the public's help in tracking down a man they say approached a young girl near Lindsay and Williams Field roads last week.
"It's been all over Snapchat. People are going crazy about it," said Bri Caiazzo, an 8th grade student at South Valley Junior High School. "This is the good part about social media."
Bri Caiazzo is a student at the closest school to Lindsay and Williams Field roads where Gilbert Police say a man tried luring a young girl toward his van on September 13th.
"We text each other all the time saying be careful if you're walking here. Be careful with a group," Caiazzo said.
Police say the man was driving a white Nissan cargo van and offered to give the girl a ride home. The girl followed her instincts and ran home. Investigators say the man is about 35 years old with a distinct injury or gauge on his right earlobe.
"We got an email from the school principal to let us know there was an incident," said Anna Nolan, a Gilbert parent.
Police say the suspicious man never made further contact with the girl and are trying to determine if his behavior raises to the level of a crime. In the meantime, Gilbert parents are on edge.
"It provided us with an opportunity to talk with our own kids because it occurred to us that maybe we hadn't touched on the whole stranger danger thing in a while," Nolan said.
Police hope parents across the area use this incident as an excuse to talk to their kids. They encourage you to create a password with your children.
"We've had the same password since they were little," said Lisa Caiazzo.
You should only share the password with family and close friends so your kids know not to get in any car with someone who doesn't know it.
"You gotta always remind them it doesn't matter if an adult is making you feel uncomfortable there is a reason," said Caiazzo.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Gilbert PD at 480-503-6500.