'Speak With Your Children' Say Lindenhurst Officials After Incident

LINDENHURST, NY — Lindenhurst school officials have been communicating with the district community since a student headed to Lindenhurst Middle School Monday morning reported that a man driving a white vehicle asked her if she wanted a ride to school.

"Yesterday morning, March 18th, one of our 7th grade students was approached by a man on Wellwood Avenue and Montauk Highway, across from the CVS on the side of the gas station," Interim Superintendent Vincent Caravana said in a letter to Lindenhurst families. "The man, who drove an old white four-door car, repeatedly tried to give the student a ride, despite her objections. The man followed her for approximately one block before driving off down Wellwood Avenue heading north."

Police said they received a call from the school about the incident at 7:02 a.m. Monday.

"Fortunately, our 7th grade student handled the situation perfectly and is 100% safe," Caravana said. "Please speak with your children and remind them of the proper way to handle situations such as these, however rare they may be in our community."

Police said Wednesday they have increased the presence of officers at the school during strategic times.

On Monday afternoon, middle school Principal Frank Naccarato Jr. sent a message to parents:

This morning we were informed that one of our 7th-grade students was approached by a middle-aged, white man, with facial hair. The man asked the student if she would like a ride to school. The young lady told him no and continued to walk. He kept asking her to get in his car so he could take her to school. Our student called her friend and continued to walk. The friend said she could hear the man asking her to get in the car. I am happy to report that the young lady came right to my office and reported the situation. Her parents are aware of what took place and will be picking up the student this afternoon and driving her to school moving forward.

The situation happened on Wellwood Avenue and Montauk. Across from the CVS on the side of the gas station.

The man was driving a white four-door, old car. The student reports that there were (full) large black trash bags in the back seat of the car. The man followed her for about a block and then drove off down Wellwood heading North.

We notified the police and our SRO will be stopping by the school today. He informed us that he would be letting the patrol car know about the situation.