Man in reported ‘luring’ incident in Lemon Grove just wanted ice cream: SDSO

LEMON GROVE, Calif. (FOX 5/KUSI) — Authorities have found the person reported to have attempted to lure Lemon Grove Academy Middle School students with money to get inside his car, the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department told FOX 5/KUSI Thursday.

The school’s principal, Vanessa Ruiz, sent out a letter to families Wednesday that said the school was made aware of a “concerning incident” that happened during school dismissal on Tuesday.

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The letter said, in part, that “unidentified individuals attempted to coerce two students into his vehicle by offering payment.”

The sheriff’s department on Thursday confirmed deputies immediately searched the area and investigated after being contacted by the school. Using information from a car’s plate number, they were able to find the driver and his family, the department said.

According to authorities, the family was on their way to the Rancho San Diego Sheriff’s Station to explain their side of the incident. The family told deputies the driver was diagnosed with an intellectual disability, as well as mobility and medical issues.

The department told FOX 5/KUSI he did not tell anyone to get into his car. Deputies said the man was waiting to pick up his niece from school at the time of the reported incident, and that he had “asked nearby kids to buy him ice cream from a truck parked near the skate park.”

Deputies said the report was determined to be unfounded and no crime was committed. Findings from the investigation were shared with the school district, the department said.

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