Police Investigate 2 Incidents of Elderly Man Approaching Children in Alexandria

The Alexandria Police Department is investigating two recent reports of an elderly man, with an older model green Subaru wagon, reportedly with out-of-state license plates, approaching children. 

One incident occurred on Friday, Jan. 31, and the other a week later on Feb. 7, also on a Friday. 

The first incident occurred at about 4:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 31, in the 400 block of Crown View Drive in Alexandria, where a boy was walking his dog. The second incident also occurred in the afternoon, when two boys were walking home from George Mason Elementary School, located at 2601 Cameron Mills Road in Alexandria, according to Alexandria Police spokeswoman Crystal Nosal.

Police do not believe the incidents are connected with the Feb. 6 Ruthanne Lodato shooting, according to Nosal. Ridge Road Drive is just a few blocks from the school.

In both cases, the man spoke to unaccompanied children who did not know him. No crime was committed, and the man did not try to get the children to get in his car, or go anywhere with him. He spoke with the children and then left the area. 

The man in question was a white male, approximately 60-70 years old, with gray hair. He drove an older model green Subaru wagon, reportedly with out-of-state license plates. The man has not committed a crime but police would like to speak with him.

The children in these incidents did the right thing, police noted. They told their parents that something happened that made them feel strange. Police ask that residents remind children to never walk away with a stranger or get into a car of someone they do not know.

The Criminal Investigations Section is continuing to investigate these cases and anyone with any information related to these incidents may call or email Detective Ryan Clinch at 703.746.6673 or ryan.clinch@alexandriava.gov.