Lakewood man charged with trying to lure children

Pierce County prosecutors on Monday charged a Lakewood man suspected of trying to lure three children outside a school and apartment complex.

Patrick Huber, 59, pleaded not guilty to two counts of child luring. Prosecutors said he might be charged with a third count. Huber was ordered held in jail in lieu of $300,000 bail.

Huber was arrested Friday after he allegedly admitted to trying to convince the children to come to his home.

The first incident took place outside Woodbrook Middle School when a boy walked to the sidewalk outside the school at 14920 Spring St. SW. He later told the principal a wrinkly man with a beard and long blond hair told him to “come over.”

The boy “believed he wanted to take him away,” according to charging papers.

Shortly afterward, a mother called 911 to report that a man with the same description tried to lure her 10-year-old daughter and 4-year-old son while they played outside.

Sheriff’s deputies determined Huber lived in the same apartment complex as the victims and went to talk to him. He initially denied trying to lure children but allegedly admitted to masturbating to thoughts of young girls, deputies said.

He later admitted to asking the little girl to come to his home, records show.

This story was originally published February 2, 2015 at 1:38 PM with the headline "Lakewood man charged with trying to lure children."