Posted by Rick Civelli | 04.21.2010 | WB Surf Camp News

Man approaching children, 'Have you seen my lost dog?'

With summer approaching and kids getting ready to be out of school it is vital to speak with your children about being aware of their surroundings. Teaching them to not speak with strangers and to instead turn to trusted adults is always a good precaution. As safety is our number one priority we just wanted to increase awareness of a local in post from the Pender County Sheriff’s Office and WECT News 6…

“PENDER COUNTY, NC (WECT) – The Pender County Sheriff’s Office is trying to identify a man who has approached a number of children asking if they have seen his lost puppy.

Two young girls reported they were approached by a middle aged man while they were playing in their neighborhood near North Topsail Elementary Saturday afternoon. They said the man asked them if they had seen his “lost dog.”

According to the sheriff’s office, the two girls ran home to tell their parents about the situation. An older brother of one of the girls stayed behind in effort to get a tag number on the vehicle the man was driving, but lost sight of it before seeing the plate number.

Deputies say the man has been seen by several individuals ranging in age from 9 to 17. He is described as a white male in his mid 40s with a mustache and stained teeth. Witnesses told authorities the man was driving an older model, dark green, sports utility type vehicle.

The sheriff’s office said they have been hearing rumors of similar incidents taking place in both Pender and New Hanover Counties over the past two weeks, but have been unable to trace the source of the additional accounts.

Pender County Detective Scott Lawson says parents need to take the time to talk to their children about being aware of their surroundings and quickly alerting a trusted adult if something happens that makes them uncomfortable.

Anyone who recognizes the man depicted to the right is asked to contact Detective Lawson at (910) 259-1438.”

conceptual sketch of the bad guy