Man attempts to lure girls to car
By Sylvie Belmond belmond@theacorn.com

Two Moorpark girls were approached by an unknown man near the intersection of Cedar Pines Lane and Christian Barrett Drive at about 5 p.m. last Saturday.

The suspect allegedly tried to lure the pair into his vehicle, telling the two 11-year-old girls that he found a rabbit and needed help to identify it, authorities said.

The man wanted the girls to come to his house to see if they knew who the rabbit belonged to.

After several failed attempts to get the girls into his car, the man drove away.

According to the victims, the suspect is white, about 50 years of age with a medium complexion. He has a double chin, a pointed nose and brown hair with gray on the sides. The man could have been wearing a toupee, authorities said. He was driving a four-door silver compact car.

In the wake of the incident, the Moorpark Unified School District took immediate action to inform parents. School officials said they've also been in close communication with the police.

"We have been advised that the Ventura County Sheriff's Department will increase patrol at the neighboring schools during arrival and dismissal times," said Superintendent Ellen Smith.

"This is a good time for parents and teachers to review with children what to do if approached by a stranger. We in the schools, the neighborhoods and the community at large must all work together and be vigilant to ensure the safety of our children," she said.

Melissa Houlihan, mother of a 9-year-old daughter who lives a block away from where the incident occurred, said she was impressed with the school district's quick response to the incident.

The district distributed copies of a newspaper article published in the Ventura County Star last weekend and a letter to advise parents at Peach Hill Academy about the luring attempt.

"It's a shame, I sure hope they catch this person," said Houlihan whose daughter attends fourthgrade at the school. Houlihan said she never lets her children walk alone in the neighborhood.