ROSSFORD, OH (Toledo News Now) -
After digging deeper into a reported stranger danger incident on March 7, Rossford Police have determined it was a false alarm.
According to police, a 6-year-old girl was walking along Vineyard Drive near Dixie Highway when a stranger pulled up driving a white van. He cursed at her and then told her to come closer. The girl ran away to a neighbor's house in tears.
However, after more investigation, police recently provided the following update on their Facebook page:
The possible criminal child enticement that was reported on Vineyard Drive in early March of 2014 has been investigated and it has been determined that no enticement occurred. A suspect and vehicle were identified after two incidents occurred in Perrysburg Township. The suspect was interviewed and admitted to the incidents. He is telling children, "Jesus Loves You". The suspect was advised to cease and desist in this activity.
About a week after the original investigation, another investigation was launched regarding how officers on scene communicated what happened.
"I received information that this took place several days after it happened," explained Police Chief Glenn Goss.
That is the biggest problem. The detective was not notified by responding officers and no code red alert was made, a phone call to all citizens warning them about the incident.
Now Chief Goss is interviewing the officers involved to get to the root of the problem. He says the public has the right to be upset.
"In this type of situation, you have to get that information out right away to the community, absolutely," said Goss.
Goss says action could be taken internally and this won't happen again on his watch.
The Rossford Police Department urges residents to report any criminal or suspicious behavior by calling 911 or 419-666-5230.
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