Suspicious person reportedly chased Bethel School District students on 3 separate days
Pierce County deputies are warning families that a suspicious man chased or tried to grab Bethel School District students on three separate days.
A student at Liberty Middle School in Spanaway reported to deputies on Tuesday that a person dressed in black chased him the morning of Jan. 12, according to a Pierce County Sheriff’s Department Facebook post.
At about 6:30 a.m., the 13-year-old student was waiting for a school bus when a passerby said there was a two-hour late start. When the student was walking home, he noticed another person wearing a black hoodie was in his path, so he took the long way home. When he turned around, the man was following the teenager and walking fast to catch up to him, the post said.
The student ran and saw the man start to run as well. The student made it home safely and reported that the man did not say anything to him, the post said.
In an incident on Wednesday, Jan. 10, a 13-year-old was walking to Spanaway Middle School at 7 a.m. when he noticed a person dressed in black following him, deputies reported. The student started running to the school, and the person ran after him. When the student was in sight of the school and staff, the person stopped, turned around and walked away.
In an incident on Thursday, Jan. 11, a 14-year-old female student was walking to Bethel High School near 225th Street East and 40th Avenue East at 6:20 a.m. An unknown man jumped out of the bushes and tried to grab her around the waist. The man never said anything and never touched the girl. The girl reportedly called a friend and ran in the direction of the school, the post said.
The Bethel School District sent a message out to parents about the Jan. 11 and Jan. 10 incidents last week, the post said.
In one incident the suspicious person was described as 5-feet-10 with a slim build. In another the person was described as about 6 feet tall with a bulky build. The suspicious person was wearing dark clothing in all three incidents. The man never said anything and has not made physical contact with the children. While each incident is similar, deputies cannot confirm whether they are related or the same person, the post said.
“We are advising all students and parents to be aware of these incidents and please make sure you watch your surroundings when walking to or from school and or waiting for the bus. If you see someone approaching you that is suspicious please call 911 right away,” the post said.
The post said that anyone with information should call the Sheriff’s Department or make an anonymous tip through Crime Stoppers.
